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Around the Horn - Tuesday

July 16, 2012


NATIONAL LEAGUE

N.Y. Mets at Washington - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Niese (7-4, 3.73 ERA) 46-43 5-10 away vs LHP
Detwiler (4-3, 3.43 ERA) 51-36 7-4 home vs LHP


San Francisco at Atlanta - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Zito (7-6, 4.01 ERA) 49-40 6-2 L8 away Game 1's
Jurrjens (3-2, 4.97 ERA) 49-39 2-11 L13 home vs LHP


Arizona at Cincinnati - 7:10 PM EST (Game 2/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Bauer (1-1, 5.40 ERA) 43-46 3-12 away Game 2's
Cueto (10-5, 2.39 ERA) 50-39 10-2 L12 home Game 2's


-- Diamondbacks beat Reds, 5-3 on Monday

Miami at Chicago - 8:10 PM EST (Game 1/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Sanchez (4-6, 4.12 ERA) 43-46 OVER 5-2 L7 away Game 1's
Wood (4-3, 3.05 ERA) 36-52 6-1 L7 home off win


St. Louis at Milwaukee - 8:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Kelly (1-1, 2.70 ERA) 47-43 UNDER 10-4-1 away Game 2's
Wolf (2-6, 5.80 ERA) 42-47 10-5 home Game 2's


-- Cardinals beat Brewers, 3-2 on Monday

Pittsburgh at Colorado - 8:40 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Bedard (4-10, 4.80 ERA) 49-40 OVER 6-1 away on Tuesdays
Friedrich (5-6, 5.60 ERA) 35-54 6-11 home vs LHP


-- Rockies beat Pirates, 5-4 on Monday

Houston at San Diego - 10:05 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Lyles (2-5, 5.08 ERA) 34-56 1-13 away Game 2's
Ohlendorf (2-0, 7.41 ERA) 36-55 4-9 L13 home vs RHP


-- Astros beat Padres, 2-0 on Monday

Philadelphia at Los Angeles - 10:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Halladay (4-5, 3.98 ERA) 40-51 OVER 11-4 away Game 2's
Undecided 48-43 UNDER 10-3 on Tuesdays


-- Phillies beat Dodgers, 3-2 on Monday


AMERICAN LEAGUE

Los Angeles at Detroit - 7:05 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Richards (2-1, 4.21 ERA) 49-41 1-4 L5 away Game 2's
Turner (0-0, 1.80 ERA) 47-43 5-10 home Game 2's


-- Tigers beat Angels, 8-6 on Monday

Toronto at N.Y. Yankees - 7:05 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Cecil (2-1, 6.75 ERA) 45-45 4-8 away vs LHP
Sabathia (9-3, 3.45 ERA) 55-34 6-2 L8 home vs LHP


-- Yankees beat Blue Jays, 6-3 on Monday

Chicago at Boston - 7:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Humber (3-4, 6.01 ERA) 49-40 UNDER 8-3 away vs LHP
Lester (5-6, 4.49 ERA) 46-44 7-3 L10 home Game 2's


-- Red Sox beat White Sox, 5-1 on Monday

Cleveland at Tampa Bay - 7:15 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Tomlin (5-5, 5.45 ERA) 46-43 0-6 L6 away Game 2's
Moore (5-6, 4.42 ERA) 46-44 OVER 6-1 L7 on Tuesdays


-- Indians beat Rays, 3-2 on Monday

Seattle at Kansas City - 8:15 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Beavan (3-6, 5.92 ERA) 38-53 6-1 L7 away Game 2's
Verdugo (NR) 38-50 OVER 5-1 L6 home vs RHP


-- Mariners beat Royals, 9-4 on Monday

Baltimore at Minnesota - 8:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Britton (NR) 46-43 2-5 L7 away vs RHP
Deduno (0-0, 5.06 ERA) 37-52 OVER 9-1-1 L11 home vs LHP


-- Twins beat Orioles, 19-7 on Monday

Texas at Oakland - 10:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Oswalt (2-1, 6.26 ERA) 54-35 OVER 6-1 away on Tuesdays
Colon (6-7, 3.80 ERA) 46-43 9-3 L12 home off win

Sabathia Returns From DL As Yankees Host Blue Jays

CC Sabathia returns to the mound for the first time in a little more than three weeks when the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays continue their series on Tuesday night.

Sidelined since June 24 with a left groin strain, Sabathia will be opposed by Toronto's Brett Cecil in the 7:05 p.m. (ET) first pitch at Yankee Stadium. The Yanks opened as hefty $2.00 favorites with a 9½-run total.

The series got underway Monday night with New York priced at -175 in a battle of right-handers, Phil Hughes and Henderson Alvarez. Game 1's total opened at 10 but had been pushed up to 10½ at most shops monitored by the Don Best Pro Odds. This is just the second time this season the two clubs have met, and the first of five series scheduled for the AL East foes between now and the final weekend of September. Toronto swept a mini 2-game set at Rogers Centre in mid-May when both contests stayed 'under' the total.

Sabathia has enjoyed tremendous success against the Jays dating back to his days with the Cleveland Indians. Sixteen starts vs. Toronto have resulted in 13 wins for both him and his clubs while fashioning a 3.16 ERA. New York is 5-1 behind Sabathia since he donned the pinstripes at the start of the 2009 campaign.

The big southpaw won his first three home assignments this season before losing two of the last three. Sabathia's Bronx stats include a solid 2.33 ERA and stingy .202 batting average allowed.

Cecil has made five starts since being called up in mid-June when rookie Drew Hutchison was sidelined by a bum right elbow. Thanks to Blue Jays hitters scoring 37 runs in those games, Toronto has managed to win four of the outings despite Cecil's bloated 6.75 ERA.

The former star at Maryland will be taking his 10th career crack at the Yanks with his ERA in the previous nine just below five and Toronto winning five of the clashes.

New York currently owns a 5-game home winning streak against the Blue Jays and won seven of the nine played in the Bronx a season ago.

Hot Athletics Return Home To Host Rangers
Perhaps I was a bit too hasty when I said the Oakland Athletics wouldn't be able to maintain the .500 record while updating MLB futures and the division races in a recent article. The A's are the hottest team going in July (9-1), and return home from a sweep of the Twins in Minnesota this past weekend to host the AL West-leading Texas Rangers for a quick 2-game set that begins Tuesday night (10:05 p.m. ET).

A couple of veteran right-handers are slated to square off in the opener as Roy Oswalt gets the ball for Texas and Bartolo Colon goes for the Athletics. The game hovered around a pick on the initial money lines while the 7½-run total leaned to the 'over.'

Oswalt was beaten up in his only road start since joining the Rangers when the White Sox posted a 19-2 laugher at US Cellular Field on July 3. Chicago tagged Oswalt for 11 runs (9 earned) and belted three round-trippers in the game. But he bounced back just before the break with a nice outing at home, working into the sixth and allowing just one run in Texas' eventual 4-3 victory over the Twins. He has only made two starts vs. Oakland in his career, the last time in 2007, and this will be just his second appearance at The Coliseum.

Colon, meanwhile, will be making his second appearance against Texas this season after working eight shutout innings from this mound in early June to help the A's to a two-zip triumph. The beefy Dominican has had some success vs. the Rangers over his career with a 3.88 ERA in over 208 innings and a 19-8 record.

The clubs have split their 10 battles in 2012, the A's winning three of four on their home diamond while the Rangers are 4-2 in the Lone Star State. The totals have run a bit contrary to what you might expect in the two parks, however, with the 'over' 3-1 in Oakland and the 'under' 4-1-1 in Texas.

MLB
Dunkel

Houston at San Diego
The Padres look to take advantage of a Houston team that is 0-13 in Jordan Lyles' last 13 road starts. San Diego is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Padres favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-120). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, JULY 17

Game 951-952: NY Mets at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Niese) 15.149; Washington (Detwiler) 14.926
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Washington (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+110); Under

Game 953-954: Arizona at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Bauer) 15.388; Cincinnati (Cueto) 15.661
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-170); Over

Game 955-956: San Francisco at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 15.744; Atlanta (Jurrjens) 15.204
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+135); Under

Game 957-958: Miami at Chicago Cubs (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Sanchez) 15.482; Cubs (Wood) 16.477
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Miami (-115); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-105); N/A

Game 959-960: St. Louis at Milwaukee (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Kelly) 15.470; Milwaukee (Wolf) 16.376
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-110); Over

Game 961-962: Pittsburgh at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Bedard) 14.861; Colorado (Friedrich) 14.047
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Colorado (-120); 11
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+100); Under

Game 963-964: Houston at San Diego (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Lyles) 14.136; San Diego (Ohlendorf) 14.801
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: San Diego (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-120); Under

Game 965-966: Philadelphia at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Halladay) 14.938; LA Dodgers (Fife) 13.885
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 967-968: LA Angels at Detroit (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Richards) 16.790; Detroit (Turner) 15.270
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+100); Under

Game 969-970: Toronto at NY Yankees (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Cecil) 15.351; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 16.139
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-220); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-220); Over

Game 971-972: Chicago White Sox at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Humber) 14.860; Boston (Lester) 16.125
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-170); 10
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-170); Over

Game 973-974: Cleveland at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Tomlin) 15.194; Tampa Bay (Moore) 14.592
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+135); Under

Game 975-976: Baltimore at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Britton) 14.358; Minnesota (Deduno) 13.552
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-110); Over

Game 977-978: Seattle at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Beavan) 14.506; Kansas City (Davis) 14.958
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 979-980: Texas at Oakland (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Oswalt) 16.226; Oakland (Colon) 15.598
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Texas (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-125); Over

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, July 17

Hot pitchers
-- Niese is 3-1, 3.49 in his last four starts.
-- Cueto is 5-2, 2.37 in his last seven starts; he's been batting problems with a blister, and was scratched from his Sunday night start.
-- Jurrjens is 3-0, 3.20 in four starts since coming off the DL. Zito is 2-1, 2.50 in his last three starts.
-- Wood is 4-0, 1.35 in his last four starts.

-- Bronx won 11 of last 14 Sabathia starts.
-- Turner allowed one run in five IP in his only '12 start, vs St Louis.
-- Colon is 0-0, 1.84 in two starts since coming off the DL.

Cold pitchers
-- Detwiler is 1-1, 5.25 in his last six starts.
-- Bauer has a 6.08 RA in his first three MLB starts.
-- ASanchez is 1-3, 6.92 in his last seven starts.
-- Kelly is 1-2, 3.51 in his six MLB starts. Wolf is 0-1, 8.74 in his last four.
-- Bedard is 0-4, 8.37 in his last five starts. Friedrich is 1-5, 7.27 in his last seven starts.
-- Lyles is 1-4, 5.94 in his last six starts. Ohlendorf has an 8.64 RA in his two tarts for San Diego.
-- Halladay was 1-3, 5.48 in his last four starts before going on DL. Fife is 7-5, 4.53 in 18 starts at hitter-friendly Albuquerque (AAA) this year.

-- Richards allowed 17 runs in 8.2 IP in his last two starts.
-- Cecil is 1-1, 10.57 in his last three starts.
-- Lester is 1-2, 4.68 in his last four starts. Humber is 1-2, 8.80 in his last three starts.
-- Tomlin is 2-2, 6.41 in his last five starts. Moore is 1-1, 5.68 in his last three outings.
-- Britton was 11-11, 4.61 in 28 starts for Orioles LY; he is 5-1, 3.47 in minor league ball this year (10 starts). Deduno allowed three runs in 5.1 IP in his only '12 start.
-- Beavan is 1-2, 9.00 in his last four starts. 36-year old Davis was 1-7, 6.50 in nine starts for Cubs LY; he is 5-1, 3.48 in 10 minor league games this season.
-- Oswalt has a 7.04 RA in four starts for Texas.

Hot Teams
-- Washington won 10 of its last 16 games.
-- Braves won their last seven games, scoring 43 runs. San Francisco won its last three games, allowing five runs.
-- Cubs won their last four games, allowing three runs.
-- Reds won nine of their last thirteen home games.
-- Milwaukee is 12-7 in its last 19 home games.
-- Pirates won 11 of their last 16 games.

-- Bronx won seven of its last nine games.
-- White Sox won 11 of their last 16 games.
-- Indians are 9-5 in their last fourteen games.
-- Detroit won eight of its last nine games.
-- Kansas City won four of its last six home games.
-- A's won nine of their last ten games. Texas won four of five.

Cold Teams
-- Mets lost their last four games, allowing 28 runs.
-- Arizona lost nine of its last twelve road games.
-- Cardinals lost four of their last five road games.
-- Marlins lost four of their last six games.
-- Rockies lost 12 of their last 17 home games.
-- Dodgers lost 18 of their last 24 games. Philadelphia lost 11 of its last 15.
-- San Diego lost five of their last seven games. Astros snapped a 13-gamre road losing skid last night.

-- Angels lost five of their last six road games.
-- Blue Jays lost five of their last six road games.
-- Red Sox lost seven of their last eleven games.
-- Tampa Bay is 6-12 in its last 18 games, 6-11 in last seventeen at home.
-- Twins lost seven of their last nine games. Baltimore lost five of six.
-- Mariners lost six of their last nine games.

Totals
-- Five of last six Detwiler starts went over the total.
-- 11 of last 13 Cincinnati home games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Zito starts went over the total.
-- Under is 8-2-2 in last twelve Miami home games.
-- Over is 24-7 in last 31 games at Miller Park.
-- Nine of last ten Colorado games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven games at Petco Park stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last ten Dodger games stayed under the total.

-- 11 of Angels' last 13 road games went over total.
-- Four of last six Bronx Bomber games went over total.
-- Four of last six Boston games went over the total.
-- Under is 13-5-2 in Cleveland's last twenty road games.
-- Under is 4-2-1 in last seven Baltimore games.
-- Under is 14-5 in last nineteen Seattle games.
-- Six of last seven Oakland home games stayed under.

Umpires
-- NY-Wsh-- Don't know who the umpire is.
-- Az-Cin-- Four of last five Layne games stayed under total.
-- SF-Atl-- Don't know who the umpire is.
-- Mia-Chi-- Don't know who the umpire is.
-- StL-Mil-- Road team won nine of last twelve Gorman games.
-- Pitt-Col-- Last three Culbreth games stayed under the total.
-- Hst-SD-- Five of last seven Darling games stayed under total.
-- Phil-LA-- Five of last six Bell games stayed under the total.

-- LA-Det-- Favorites won five of last six Fletcher games.
-- Tor-NY-- Five of last seven TBarrett games went over total.
-- Chi-Bos-- Nine of last twelve Everitt games stayed under.
-- Clev-TB-- Six of last nine Scott games went over the total.
-- Balt-Min-- Last four O'Nora games stayed under the total.
-- Sea-KC-- Five of last seven Hoye gaes went over the total.
-- Tex-A's-- Don't know who the umpire is.

MLB

Tuesday, July 17

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Trend Report
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7:05 PM
NY METS vs. WASHINGTON
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets

7:05 PM
LA ANGELS vs. DETROIT
LA Angels are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 12 of LA Angels's last 17 games
Detroit is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Angels
Detroit is 9-4 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against LA Angels

7:05 PM
TORONTO vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
Toronto is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games

7:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games when playing Arizona

7:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of San Francisco's last 12 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Francisco's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Atlanta's last 12 games when playing at home against San Francisco
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing San Francisco

7:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. BOSTON
Chi White Sox are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
Chi White Sox are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing Boston
Boston is 8-15 SU in their last 23 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

7:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. TAMPA BAY
Cleveland is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Cleveland

8:05 PM
MIAMI vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
Miami is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
Chi Cubs are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Miami

8:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. MINNESOTA
Baltimore is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Baltimore
Minnesota is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Baltimore

8:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Seattle's last 19 games
Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Kansas City's last 10 games at home
Kansas City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Seattle

8:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games on the road
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 9 games when playing at home against St. Louis

8:40 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. COLORADO
Pittsburgh is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Pittsburgh's last 21 games on the road
Colorado is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games at home

10:05 PM
HOUSTON vs. SAN DIEGO
Houston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against San Diego
Houston is 2-13 SU in its last 15 games
San Diego is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of San Diego's last 23 games when playing at home against Houston

10:05 PM
TEXAS vs. OAKLAND
Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games on the road
Oakland is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Oakland's last 17 games

10:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Philadelphia's last 23 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Dodgers's last 10 games
LA Dodgers are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games

MLB

Tuesday, July 17

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Tuesday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers
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STREAKING

Travis Wood, Chicago Cubs (4-3, 3.05 ERA)

Remember when Wood was fast-tracked up the Reds minor league system? Remember how good that guy was before he started stealing designer t-shirts from the ****? Cincy turfed the kid but the Cubs are really one club’s garbage is another cellar-dweller’s future ace.

Chicago is 4-0 in Wood’s last four starts (three as underdog) and the lefty has produced a quality start in six of his last seven trips to the bump.

Bartolo Colon, Oakland Athletics (6-7, 3.80 ERA)

Bartolo missed a start or two at the end of June but he’s looked great since coming off the DL. The 39-year-old has allowed just two earned runs and one walk over his last 14 2/3 innings pitched. The A’s are 4-1 in his last four outings and the under is 5-1 in his last six appearances.


SLUMPING

Erik Bedard, Pittsburgh Pirates (4-10, 4.80 ERA)

This Canadian southpaw is the weakness link in an otherwise respectable Pittsburgh starting rotation. The Bucs are winless in Bedard’s last five starts and the over is 3-1-1 over the same stretch. He’s given up four or more runs in each of his last three trips to the hill.

Randy Wolf, Milwaukee Brewers (2-6, 5.80 ERA)

There’s got to be a collective groan coming from the Brewer’s dugout on days Wolf takes the mound. The veteran lefty has allowed four or more runs in four straight starts and Milwaukee is 2-8 in his last 10 appearances.

Wolf carries a bloated 1.42 WHIP (walks + hits per inning) since the beginning of June into Tuesday’s start.

MLB

Tuesday, July 17

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Rounding the bases: The best bets in the big leagues
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Every week we take a moment to look at the best and worst bets in baseball from the past seven days.

Hot team: Atlanta Braves

Week’s record: 3-0
Upcoming sked: vs. San Francisco, at Washington

The Braves lost their most effective starting pitcher (Brandon Beachy) but almost a month to the day later they may have found a temporary replacement in Ben Sheets. The former Brewer ace hadn’t pitched for two seasons before toeing the rubber on Sunday. Sheets pitched great and Atlanta won its seventh straight game.

The lineup is balanced, the rotation is reliable and the bullpen is improving. Look out Washington – the Braves might just finish first in the NL West yet.

Cold team: Minnesota Twins

Week’s record: 0-3
Upcoming sked: vs. Baltimore, at Kansas City

The Twins are on a 5-game losing skid and are just 1-7 over their last eight. They’ve used 11 different starting pitchers this season and their rotation has surrendered more home runs than any other team in baseball. Other than that, everything’s fine in Minnesota.

Over team: New York Yankees

O/U record: 38-49-1
Upcoming sked: vs. Toronto, at Oakland

The big bats in the Bronx Bombers lineup are starting to heat up in a big way. New York has scored five or more runs in seven straight games, including eight runs off Jered Weaver and the Angels on Sunday. Curtis Granderson has homered in two straight games and is on a five-game hitting streak.

Under team: Colorado Rockies

O/U record: 48-38-2
Upcoming sked: vs. Pittsburgh, at San Diego

The Rockies fragile, four-man pitching staff has been responsible for a lot of the club’s overs this season. Things have been a bit more respectable in July (3.98 ERA) and the offense has dropped off a bit too. The Rockies have scored just 31 runs in 11 July games. The under, by the way, is 8-1 in Colorado's last nine contests.