Cnotes Wednesday's MLB Best Bets !

Tigers And Red Sox Finish Series At Fenway Park

Are the Boston Red Sox finally becoming playoff contenders, or is this just another tease like a couple of their spurts during the first half?

We might have a better idea of that come Wednesday evening when the Red Sox finish their 3-game series against the Detroit Tigers in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN (7:00 p.m. ET). The Tigers opened as slight 115 favorites for the finale when Rick Porcello is slated to take his turn in their rotation. Boston counters with Aaron Cook and the early total on the Don Best Pro Odds screen was 10½.

Boston upped its current win streak to three games with a 7-3 win as small chalk in Monday's opener. Will Middlebrook's 2-run homer in the eighth pushed the final just above the 9½-run mark, and it's the longest string of dubyas for the BoSox since a 5-game stretch in mid-June.

The Red Sox have seemingly been ready to break out several times this season just as they crossed over the .500 mark, only to fall back into the doldrums as they did recently by losing six of seven from July 20-27. Monday's victory left Boston 52-51 (-10.6 units), and staying above level was going to require beating Justin Verlander in Tuesday's tilt vs. Detroit. The Tigers were priced at -130 in that contest which was still pending, and were facing Red Sox righty Josh Beckett.

Beating Verlander to stay above .500 is tall enough of an order; if Boston fails, the job to not drop below even becomes another tough task with Cook on the mound Wednesday. The Yankees slapped the veteran around last Friday in New York, scoring six times in his four innings. He has fashioned a nice 2:1 grounder-to-fly ratio his last two starts, but of the 14 total flies he has allowed, four were long enough to get over the fence.

Cook's lone career assignment vs. Detroit came a year ago while a member of the Rockies. He did well by Coors Field standards (6 IP, 4 ER), but the end result was a loss.

All of the work the Tigers did to get to the top of the AL Central following the all-star break has been undone by five losses in their last seven games heading into Tuesday's match. Detroit needed wins Tuesday and Wednesday to avoid a third consecutive series loss.

The Tigers had won five consecutive games started by Porcello before he took the defeat last weekend in Toronto (6 IP, 5 ER). The lanky right-hander missed facing the Red Sox the two previous series between the clubs this season, and Detroit has lost all three of his previous starts vs. the Beantown 9.

His lone appearance at Fenway Park was just under three years ago, and ended before he could get an out in the second inning when Porcello was ejected for beaning Kevin Youkilis. All told, he has worked 8-1/3 innings in three starts against Boston and allowed 10 runs, all earned.

One Red Sox hitter who should be licking his chops at the prospects of facing Porcello is Jacoby Ellsbury who is a perfect 5-for-5 with a homer in previous confrontations.

Angel Campos is slated to be south of the dish calling balls and strikes on Wednesday. He has worked the plate 10 times in 2012, splitting the totals 5-5.

The weatherman is calling for a muggy evening in Boston with a first-pitch reading on the thermometer in the mid-70s. A slight SSW breeze is also in the forecast (out to left/left-center).

Orioles & Yankees Finish Series In Bronx

One question on the minds of many the first four months of this season has been when will the Baltimore Orioles finally cave in and drop out of the American League playoff race? If Monday night's rare win over the New York Yankees – in the Bronx, no less – is any indication, the answer is not anytime soon.

The Orioles and Yankees finish off their fourth series meeting of the season on Wednesday with an early matinee (1:05 p.m. ET). Zach Britton is in line to take the hill for the O's against Phil Hughes of the Yanks.

Monday's contest was the 2,121st between the franchises, and the Yankees – who ironically began life in 1901 as the Baltimore Orioles – have enjoyed huge success in the series. New York owns a .595 win percentage (1,253-852) on the all-time ledger, and an even greater .631 mark (666-390) in home encounters. Both marks are even more pronounced in the Yankees' favor since the infamous Jeffrey Maier incident during the 1996 ALCS, going 169-91 overall (.650) and 85-45 (.654) in the Bronx.

As infrequent as a win in New York has become for Baltimore over the years, that hasn't been the case this season with Game 1's triumph the third in four games for the Orioles. They were going for a fourth in five tries on Tuesday as underdogs in the +165 to +170 range. The contest was still pending with a 9½-run total.

Monday's dubya also lifted the O's to within 6.5-games of the Yankees at the top of the AL East standings. A third defeat in as many games left New York just percentage points ahead of Texas for the best record in the American League.

That Baltimore is in the playoff picture at this point is tough to explain. The Orioles are the only team in either league with a winning record (54-49) yet sporting a negative differential in the scoring columns (-57 entering Tuesday). It would possibly be more easily explained if they had a strong record at home, but they don't at 25-26. Their offense is below average in the AL (4.13 rpg) while their ERA is above average (4.15).

The two areas that Baltimore has excelled in this season are extra inning games (10-2) and an outstanding mark in 1-run contests (20-6), such as Monday's affair. Oriole relievers deserve much of the credit for that with a 3.18 bullpen ERA that ranks second in the AL.

Shoulder problems kept Britton (1-0, 5.74) on the shelf through the all-star break, and Tuesday will mark just his fourth start of the 2012 campaign. The southpaw was lit up by the Oakland Athletics at Camden Yards last Friday (5-2/3 IP, 6 ER, 2 HR). Four previous assignments vs. the Yankees, all in 2011, have yielded a 4.66 ERA, and his two outings at Yankee Stadium a year ago produced a double-digit ERA thanks to one very ugly trip to the mound in late-July when he could only coax one out while allowing nine runs (6 earned).

Britton's best performance in three outings came against the Indians, and one might think that was due to the predominant left-handed hitting lineup the Tribe trots out. That wasn't the case, however, as Cleveland started the game with six hitters batting from the right side, including the switch-hitters. Lefties have actually done much better against Britton this season (.389) than righties (.205).

Hughes (10-8, 4.08) served up three gopher balls to the Red Sox last Friday in New York, but they were all solo shots and accounted for the only runs he allowed in New York's 10-3 victory. The O's beat him earlier this year in the Bronx, and have in fact done well against Hughes at Yankee stadium in his last three home starts against them, winning twice and scoring 11 times in his combined 16 innings of work.

One crucial note on the injury front involves New York 1B Mark Teixeira who left Monday's game due to a sore left wrist. Teixeira was scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday, and is doubtful to return to the Yankees lineup for either of the last two games in this series.

Alan Porter, in just his second full season as an MLB umpire, should have plate duty Wednesday afternoon, and brings an 11-10-1 'over' record into the contest, 6-2 'over' his last eight. The weather forecast calls for an afternoon high of 86º, a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms and an 8-10 mph southerly breeze (right to left).

Around the Horn - Wednesday

July 31, 2012

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Houston at Milwaukee - 2:10 PM EST (Game 3/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Lyles (2-7, 5.54 ERA) 35-70 0-8 L8 away during day
Fiers (4-4, 1.77 ERA) 46-53 8-3 L11 home Game 3's


-- Brewers beat Astros, 8-7 on Monday
-- Brewers beat Astros, 10-1 on Tuesday

Pittsburgh at Chicago - 2:20 PM EST (Game 3/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Karstens (3-2, 3.88 ERA) 59-44 OVER 6-2-1 L9 away Game 3's
Wood (4-6, 4.98 ERA) 43-59 9-1 L10 home during day


-- Cubs beat Pirates, 14-4 on Monday
-- Pirates beat Cubs, 5-0 on Tuesday

Arizona at Los Angeles - 3:10 PM EST (Game 3/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Corbin (2-4, 4.15 ERA) 53-51 0-6 L6 away during day
Fife (0-0, 1.46 ERA) 56-49 10-5 home Game 3's


-- Diamondbacks beat Dodgers, 7-2 on Monday
-- Diamondbacks beat Dodgers, 8-2 on Tuesday

Philadelphia at Washington - 7:05 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Worley (5-6, 3.88 ERA) 46-57 OVER 7-1 away on Wednesdays
Jackson (6-6, 3.52 ERA) 61-41 12-4 home Game 2's


-- Phillies beat Nationals, 8-0 on Tuesday

Miami at Atlanta - 7:10 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
LeBlanc (1-1, 1.15 ERA) 47-56 1-5 L6 Game 3's
Sheets (3-0, 0.50 ERA) 59-44 4-1 L5 home vs LHP


-- Braves beat Marlins, 8-2 on Monday
-- Braves beat Marlins, 7-1 on Tuesday

San Diego at Cincinnati - 7:10 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Wells (2-3, 3.82 ERA) 44-61 6-2 L8 Game 3's
Arroyo (6-6, 3.76 ERA) 62-41 3-5 L8 home Game 3's


-- Padres beat Reds, 11-5 on Monday
-- Reds beat Padres, 7-6 on Tuesday

St. Louis at Colorado - 8:40 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Westbrook (9-8, 3.61 ) 55-48 12-4 on Wednesdays
Pomeranz (1-6, 4.99 ERA) 37-64 1-13 L14 home Game 2's


-- Cardinals beat Rockies, 11-6 on Tuesday

N.Y. Mets at San Francisco - 10:15 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Niese (7-5, 3.86 ERA) 50-54 7-3 L10 away Game 3's
Cain (10-3, 2.80 ERA) 56-47 11-5 home vs LHP


-- Mets beat Giants, 8-7 on Monday
-- Giants beat Mets, 4-1 on Tuesday


AMERICAN LEAGUE

Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees - 1:05 PM EST (Game 3/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Britton (1-0, 5.74 ERA) 55-49 11-4 away during day
Hughes (10-8, 4.08 ERA) 60-43 UNDER 12-4 home during day


-- Orioles beat Yankees, 5-4 on Monday
-- Orioles beat Yankees, 11-5 on Tuesday

Chicago at Minnesota - 1:10 PM EST (Game 3/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Peavy (8-7, 3.15 ERA) 56-47 UNDER 1-10-1 L12 away during day
Diamond (9-4, 2.88 ERA) 44-59 4-10 home Game 3's


-- Twins beat White Sox, 7-6 on Monday
-- White Sox beat Twins, 4-3 on Tuesday

Tampa Bay at Oakland - 3:35 PM EST (Game 3/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Cobb (4-8, 4.93 ERA) 54-50 6-3 L9 away during day
Parker (7-4, 3.38 ERA) 56-47 10-4 home Game 3's


-- Athletics beat Rays, 4-3 on Monday
-- Rays beat Athletics, 8-0 on Tuesday

Detroit at Boston - 7:05 PM EST (Game 3/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Porcello (7-6, 4.56 ERA) 54-50 UNDER 11-4-1 away Game 3's
Cook (2-4, 4.50 ERA) 53-51 6-3 L9 on Wednesdays


-- Red Sox beat Tigers, 7-3 on Monday
-- Red Sox beat Tigers, 4-1 on Tuesday

Los Angeles at Texas - 8:05 PM EST (Game 3/4)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Richards (3-2, 3.91 ERA) 57-47 8-4 L12 on Wednesdays
Darvish (11-7, 4.05 ERA) 59-43 9-2 L11 home Game 3's


-- Angels beat Rangers, 15-8 on Monday
-- Angels beat Rangers, 6-2 on Tuesday

Cleveland at Kansas City - 8:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
McAllister (4-2, 3.18 ERA) 50-53 0-8 L8 away Game 2's
Mendoza (4-7, 4.47 ERA) 42-60 UNDER 5-2 L7 on Wednesdays


-- Royals beat Indians, 8-3 on Tuesday

Toronto at Seattle - 10:10 PM EST (Game 3/3)
Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know
Villanueva (6-0, 2.92 ERA) 51-52 UNDER 8-1-1 L10 away vs RHP
Beavan (6-6, 5.20 ERA) 49-57 UNDER 6-0-1 L7 home Game 3's


-- Mariners beat Blue Jays, 4-1 on Monday
-- Mariners beat Blue Jays, 7-2 on Tuesday

Diamond Trends - Wednesday

August 1, 2012

SU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Yankees are 10-0 since April 09, 2011 when playing a day game after a loss in which they allowed 12+ hits for a net profit of $1070.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Braves are 0-12-2 OU since May 17, 2011 as a 140+ favorite when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and score in more than one inning in a night game for a net profit of $1200 when playing the under.

STARTER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Mets are 11-0 OU since June 25, 2011 when Jon Niese starts as a dog after his team lost the last time he started for a net profit of $1100 when playing the over.

MLB BIBLE TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Dodgers are 12-0 (2.3 rpg) since April 18, 2010 at home after a 5+ run loss and it is the last game of a series.

TODAY’S TRENDS:

-- The Pirates are 5-0 since April 23, 2011 when Jeff Karstens starts after giving up 2 or more home runs for a net profit of $545.
-- The Astros are 0-15 since June 05, 2011 when Jordan Lyles starts as a road dog for a net profit of $1500 when playing against.

Wednesday's betting tips: No structural damage to Teixeira's wrist

Weather to watch

Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals: A 50 percent chance of thunderstorms expected at game time.

Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins: A 30 percent chance of thunderstorms and 18 mph winds are expected to blow in from right field.

Who’s hot?

The Seattle Mariners have won five straight heading into action Tuesday and are 6-2 since trading Ichiro.

Who’s not?

The San Francisco Giants have dropped five consecutive contests heading into Tuesday’s tilt with the Mets, but still share the NL West lead with the Dodgers.

Key stat

35 – The number of consecutive games the USA women’s basketball team has won at the Olympics.

Game of the day

Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira left Monday’s contest against the Orioles with a left wrist injury. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that Teixeira underwent an MRI Tuesday that showed no structural damage. The Yankees hope to have Teixeira back in the lineup by the weekend. The slugger has been the heartbeat of the New York offense, batting .298 with seven homers and 27 RBIs in July.

Notable quotable

"This is a business. It’s not everyone’s inalienable right to get whatever they want."- NBC's Mark Lazarus on tape-delayed Olympics.

Betting notes

- The Milwaukee Brewers have dismissed bullpen coach Stan Kyles in the wake of a bullpen meltdown. Kyles had been with the Brewers organization since 2001. Lee Tunnell, the team's minor-league pitching coordinator, will replace Kyles.

- Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has felt pain in his injured right heel and is unlikely to return to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday when he is eligible to return from the disabled list. Ortiz told ESPN Deportes that he would resume baseball activities Tuesday at the earliest. Ortiz is hitting .316 this season with 23 homers and 48 RBI.

- The Miami Marlins have demoted pitcher Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen. The right-hander has a 5-9 record with a 4.54 ERA this season.

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

-- Justin Verlander had lasted 6+ innings in 63 straight starts before rain shortened his loss in Boston Tuesday and ended the streak.

-- Every baseball game should go nine innings; none of this rained out in the top of the 6th stuff. Its a rule that should be changed.

-- Former Clemson QB Kyle Parker hit his 13th HR of the season out in the California League for Modesto; he's a Rockies farmhand.

-- Ike Davis hit three HRs Saturday in Arizona; in three games since then, he is 0-13 with nine strikeouts.

-- Orioles' OF Lew Ford got his first big league hit in five years Tuesday; he played independent ball and in the Mexican League to get back.

-- AJ Burnett tossed a 1-hitter at Wrigley; Cubs haven't been no-hit in 47 years; they haven't been to a World Series in 67.


**********


Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud.......

13) Did you know there are guns made specifically for women? Well, hell I didn’t; learned that and other nifty tidbits by watching Combat Pawn on TruTV, a show about a pawn shop that apparently deals in nothing but firearms. Makes you proud to be an American.

12) Memo to Minnesota Vikings: It might be a good idea to know what foods your best player is allergic to. Just so, you know, he’s out of the emergency room for the season opener. Adrian Peterson is allergic to some types of seafood. Would've been nice if the Vikings knew that.

11) Lakers are close to hiring former NBA coach Eddie Jordan as an assistant, which means they’ll be using the Princeton offense this season. Jordan is a protégé of former Princeton coach Pete Carril.

10) After watching my 86-year old dad cringe during commercials for Will Ferrell’s new movie, I’d post an over/under of 16.5 minutes of watching the actual movie before he’d get up, say “This is gaaaahhhbage.”, then walk out of the room. 16.5 might be a little high.

9) Seahawks paid free agent QB Matt Flynn $13M+ for two years, but they don’t know if he’s going to start this year. Or be #2, for that matter. Flynn is battling incumbent Tarvaris Jackson and rookie Russell Wilson in an unusual 3-way QB race in Seattle. Not usually a good sign.

8) BP Oil Company’s profits for the second quarter of 2012 were “only $240 million”. Poor greedy bastards.

7) Mariners are 7-2 since they traded fading superstar Ichiro Suzuki away. Not easy dealing with a great player whose career is winding down, especially when the great player and your owner are both Japanese.

6) Remember when I was talking to a sports agent in Las Vegas couple weeks ago, and he was saying how some Americans get serious money to play hoops abroad? Marginal NBA player Von Wafer got $2M to play next season in a Chinese pro league. Got to make the money while you can.

5) When the Braves beat Miami the other night, it ended their 16-game Monday losing streak.

4) Linebacker Takeo Spikes in his 15th NFL season, but has never played in a playoff game. He’s on the Chargers this year; hopefully he’ll make it to the playoffs with them.

3) Opinionated, smart, occasionally abrasive college basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb jumps from ESPN to CBS, where he’ll get more of a presence than he did at ESPN, which hired former coaches Bruce Pearl/Seth Greenberg.

2) Tunisia was a 54-point underdog in men’s basketball Tuesday night; they were only down 13 at the half, then hung on to cover, losing by 47.

1) Boston OF Ryan Sweeney got mad Monday night, punched a door in the dugout, broke a finger, will be going on DL and won’t be going to Cincinnati in a rumored deadline deal designed to help the Reds make the playoffs.

MLB
Dunkel

Toronto at Seattle
The Mariners look to follow up on a 7-2 win yesterday and build on their 5-1 record in Blake Beavan's last 6 starts after scoring 5 or more runs in the previous game. Seattle is the pick (-105) according to Dunkel, which has the Mariners favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-105). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1

Game 901-902: Houston at Milwaukee (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Lyles) 13.426; Milwaukee (Fiers) 15.139
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-250); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-250); Over

Game 903-904: Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Karstens) 14.797; Cubs (Wood) 15.744
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-130); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+110); N/A

Game 905-906: Arizona at LA Dodgers (3:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Corbin) 16.171; LA Dodgers (Fife) 14.959
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Over

Game 907-908: Philadelphia at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Worley) 15.130; Washington (Jackson) 16.217
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Washington (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-140); Under

Game 909-910: Miami at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (LeBlanc) 15.979; Atlanta (Sheets) 15.573
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-180); 8
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+160); Over

Game 911-912: San Diego at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Wells) 15.563; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 16.793
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-175); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-175); Under

Game 913-914: St. Louis at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Westbrook) 15.574; Colorado (Pomeranz) 13.728
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 2; 10
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-130); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-130); Under

Game 915-916: NY Mets at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Niese) 15.174; San Francisco (Cain) 13.679
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-170); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+150); Over

Game 917-918: Baltimore at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Britton) 15.854; NY Yankees (Hughes) 14.422
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-200); 10
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+170); Under

Game 919-920: Chicago White Sox at Minnesota (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Peavy) 15.614; Minnesota (Diamond) 14.928
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-125); Over

Game 921-922: Tampa Bay at Oakland (3:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Cobb) 15.509; Oakland (Parker) 16.870
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-125); Under

Game 923-924: Detroit at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Porcello) 16.036; Boston (Cook) 15.087
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Boston (-110); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-110); Over

Game 925-926: LA Angels at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Richards) 15.034; Texas (Darvish) 15.551
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 927-928: Cleveland at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (McAllister) 13.037; Kansas City (Mendoza) 14.340
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-105); Over

Game 929-930: Toronto at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Villanueva) 15.150; Seattle (Beavan) 16.588
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Toronto (-115); 7
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-105); Under

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, August 1

Hot pitchers
-- Fiers is 3-2, 0.95 in his last seven starts.
-- Karstens is 3-0, 2.65 in his last five starts.
-- Fife is 0-0, 1.46 in two starts for the Dodgers.
-- Jackson is 1-1, 0.64 in his last couple starts.
-- Sheets is 3-0, 0.50 in his first three starts for Atlanta.
-- Arroyo is 3-1, 2.64 in his last five starts.
-- Westbrook is 2-0, 2.57 in his last couple starts.

-- Hughes is 1-1, 2.91 in his last three starts.
-- Diamond is 4-1, 3.27 in his last six starts.
-- Richards is 1-1, 3.00 in his last couple starts.
-- McAllister is 1-1, 3.15 in his last three starts.
-- Beavan is 3-0, 3.05 in his last three outings. Villanueva is 4-0, 1.93 in his last four starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Lyles is 0-3, 8.16 in his last five starts.
-- Wood is 0-3, 13.21 in his last three starts.
-- Corbin is 1-3, 5.40 in his last four starts, last of which was May 21.
-- Worley is 1-2, 6.43 in his last five starts.
-- LeBlanc is 18-23, 4.37 in 52 career starts with San Diego; he is 1-1, 1.15 in 15.2 IP for Miami this year, in 11 games.
-- KWells is 1-2, 5.57 in his last four starts.
-- Pomeranz is 0-3, 10.13 in his last three starts.
-- Cain is 1-1, 4.72 in his last five starts. Mets lost last four Niese starts (0-2, 6.33).

-- Britton has a 5.74 RA in three starts for Baltimore.
-- Peavy is 1-2, 5.40 in his last three starts.
-- Parker has a 6.46 RA in his last four starts. Cobb is 1-4, 6.08 in his last five starts.
-- Cook is 0-3, 5.79 in his last four starts. Porcello is 1-1, 5.40 in his last four.
-- Darvish is 2-3, 5.88 in his last five starts.
-- Mendoza is 1-3, 4.38 in his last four starts.

Hot Teams
-- Washington won eight of its last ten games.
-- Reds won 11 of their last 12 games.
-- Braves won ten of their last twelve home games.
-- Padres are 16-11 in their last 27 games.
-- Pittsburgh is 10-4 in its last fourteen games overall. Cubs won ten of last 14 games at Wrigley.
-- Cardinals won eight of their last eleven games.
-- Arizona won four of its last five games.

-- Orioles won their last three games, scoring 22 runs.
-- Red Sox won their last four games, scoring 22 runs.
-- Minnesota won four of its last five games. White Sox won six of their last eight games.
-- Angels won six of their last nine games.
-- A's won 19 of their last 24 games. Tampa Bay is 7-4 in last 11 on road.
-- Mariners won nine of their last eleven games.

Cold Teams
-- Marlins lost ten of their last thirteen games.
-- Phillies lost three of their last four games.
-- Astros lost 28 of their last 31 games. Brewers lost nine of their last 12.
-- Rockies lost eight of their last nine games.
-- Dodgers lost last two nights, 7-2/8-2.
-- Mets lost 15 of their last 19 games. San Francisco lost five of last six.

-- Bronx lost eight of its last 11 games.
-- Detroit lost six of its last eight games.
-- Rangers are 4-8 in their last 12 games.
-- Kansas City lost five of its last six games. Indians lost their last four games, outscored 36-9.
-- Toronto is 6-8 in its last 14 games.

Totals
-- Eight of last eleven Philly games went over the total.
-- Nine of last thirteen Miami games stayed under.
-- 12 of last 17 San Diego games went over the total.
-- Under is 12-4 in Cubs' last sixteen games.
-- Over is 11-4 in Houston's last 15 games, 7-2 in Brewers' last nine.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Colorado games.
-- 10 of last 13 Dodger games went over the total.
-- Over is 15-8-2 in Mets' last 25 games, 9-5 in Giants' last 14.

-- Ten of last fourteen Baltimore games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-3-1 in last eleven Detroit games.
-- 19 of last 25 Texas games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 6-2-2 in Kansas City's last ten games.
-- Eight of last ten Minnesota games went over the total.
-- Eleven of last fifteen Tampa Bay games stayed under.
-- Under is 25-9 in last thirty-four Seattle games.

Umpires
-- Phil-Wsh-- Underdogs won four of last five TBarrett games.
-- Mia-Atl-- Five of last six West games stayed under total.
-- SD-Cin-- Last five Hallion games all went over the total.
-- Pitt-Chi-- Underdogs won six of last eight BWelke games.
-- Hst-Mil-- Eight of last nine Bell games stayed under.
-- StL-Col-- Favorites won last 10 games with Demuth behind plate.
-- Az-LA-- Under is 5-1-2 in last eight Cuzzi games.
-- NY-SF-- Favorites won last eight games with Scott behind dish.

-- Blt-NY-- Six of last eight Porter games went over the total.
-- Det-Bos-- Six of last eight Layne games tayed under total.
-- LA-Tex-- Seven of last nine Hoye games went over the total.
-- Cle-KC-- Last three Everitt games went over the total.
-- Chi-Min-- Last six Culbreth games stayed under the total.
-- TB-A's-- Eight of last ten Conroy games went over total.
-- Tor-Sea-- Over is 8-4-2 in last fourteen Randazzo games.

MLB

Wednesday, August 1

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Trend Report
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1:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. NY YANKEES
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of NY Yankees's last 15 games
NY Yankees are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home

1:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. MINNESOTA
Chi White Sox are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Chi White Sox's last 14 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 3-9 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Minnesota's last 14 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

2:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. MILWAUKEE
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Houston's last 17 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing at home against Houston

2:20 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CHI CUBS
Pittsburgh is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Pittsburgh's last 19 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Chi Cubs's last 19 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

3:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. LA DODGERS
Arizona is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Arizona is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games at home

3:35 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Tampa Bay's last 12 games
Tampa Bay is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

7:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Philadelphia's last 11 games
Washington is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games at home

7:10 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego's last 6 games
San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games

7:10 PM
MIAMI vs. ATLANTA
Miami is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
Miami is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home

7:10 PM
DETROIT vs. BOSTON
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Detroit

8:05 PM
LA ANGELS vs. TEXAS
The total has gone OVER in 13 of LA Angels's last 18 games on the road
LA Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games when playing LA Angels
Texas is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Angels

8:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland

8:40 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of St. Louis's last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of St. Louis's last 9 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Colorado's last 22 games
Colorado is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games

10:10 PM
TORONTO vs. SEATTLE
Toronto is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Seattle's last 13 games
Seattle is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing Toronto

10:15 PM
NY METS vs. SAN FRANCISCO
NY Mets are 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing San Francisco
NY Mets are 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
San Francisco is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games

MLB

Wednesday, August 1

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Wednesday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers
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STREAKING

Ben Sheets, Atlanta Braves (3-0, 0.50 ERA)

Sheets allowed one run on six hits and struck out four over six innings of a 6-1 win over the Phillies on Friday night. The 34-year-old is now 3-0 with a miniscule 0.50 ERA in three starts since the Braves signed him in early in July. His next start is at home against Miami.

Carlos Villanueva, Toronto Blue Jays (6-0, 2.92 ERA)

Villanueva squandered two runs on four hits and struck out three over five innings as he ran his record to 6-0 in an 8-3 win over the Tigers on Friday night. The righty has been a saving grace to the depleted Jays’ rotation and carries a respectable 2.92 ERA into his next start in Seattle.


SLUMPING

Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers (11-7, 4.05 ERA)

Darvish was knocked around for six runs (five earned) on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings of a 9-5 loss to the White Sox on Friday. The All-Star has taken the loss in three of his last four starts and surrendered 14 earned runs in his last three outings. He takes the hill at home against the Angels next time out.

Travis Wood, Chicago Cubs (4-6, 4.98 ERA)

Wood was shelled again Friday, allowing eight runs over five innings to the Cardinals. The lefty has been wretched in his last three outings, yielding 22 earned runs in just 15 2/3 innings to push his ERA to 7.36 in July. He draws the Pirates in his next start.

MLB

Wednesday, August 1

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Capping the calendar: August's best and worst pitchers
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With the MLB trade deadline now in the rear view mirror, the month of August sets the table for the stretch run of the baseball season. Which pitchers can we count on to satisfy our tastes and which ones figure to turn our stomach? Take a look below.

Listed below are pitchers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team starts over the last three seasons during the month of August. On the flip side, we’ve also listed pitchers that struggle in August team starts, winning 33 percent or less of their efforts. To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts with at least one start each August over the last three years.

AUGUST'S BEST PITCHERS

Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners • 12-6

After lacking a lively fastball in the first part of the season, Hernandez has returned to “King” status in lowering his earned runs average almost a full run since June 12. Though Seattle has given up on the season, the King has clearly not.

Hiroki Kuroda, New York Yankees • 10-5

The Yankees wanted a dependable starter when they went after Kuroda and after four months the right-hander is right on career norms in ERA, WHIP and ground ball/fly ball ratios. Playing with a lineup that can score runs has helped Kuroda’s win percentage and he’s been tough on right-hand hitters who are batting just .213 against him.

Roy Oswalt, Texas Rangers • 10-5

Oswalt has again been experiencing tightness in his lower back, causing him to miss a start at the end of July. To date, he’s not been much help to the depleted Texas starting staff and you have to wonder if he’s going have similar previous results as he’s had this month in the past.

Rick Porcello, Detroit Tigers • 12-6

The Detroit righty is not fooling many hitters this season, with teams batting a crisp .309 against his efforts. On days when Porcello is on top of his game, he still permits a lot of hits but works out of trouble. Otherwise, when the opposing batting order flips a third time, the New Jersey native gives up hits in bunches.

C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees • 14-4

The Yankees ace has gotten into a nice groove (except against the Red Sox) and he’ll look to continue his expert pitching into August. Manager Joe Girardi monitored Sabathia’s pitch counts after he came off the DL, but his groin issue has not been a conundrum and he should be ready for another high quality month.

Ervin Santana, Los Angeles Angels • 13-4

Maybe this month will change the Angels pitcher’s luck, as Santana has been ineffective all season – especially of late. The L.A. righty has always allowed a large volume of home runs, but he’s almost at a career-high with two months to go. If Santana is going to pitch as well as in the past, he will need to improve in two areas immediately. Entering his Monday, July 30 start, with runners in scoring position, his ERA was 19.08 (not a misprint) and with two outs, he’s conceded 35 runs in 33 innings.

James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays • 12-6

Have last year’s career-high 249 innings taken their toll on Shields? It seems like it with an ERA 1.70 higher to date compared to last year and opposing batters swatting at .281 versus .218 in 2011. Shields will have to elevate his game if Tampa Bay is going to make the postseason.

Randy Wolf, Milwaukee Brewers • 13-6

The good news is the Milwaukee left-hander has dropped his ERA a half a run in his last five starts. The bad news is Wolf’s earned run average sits at 5.45 for the year. Wolf needs more sink on his tosses as right-handed batters are at a robust .322 average against him.

AUGUST'S WORST PITCHERS

Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers • 5-10

Billingsley has failed live up to the promise he showed in his rookie season of 2006. Since 2009, the Dodgers' hurler has been essentially a .500 pitcher and seldom consistent. If his club is going to catch San Francisco, Billingsley cannot have the type of record he’s shown in the eighth month of the year in the past.

Nick Blackburn, Minnesota Twins • 4-8

Come on, seriously, what is Nick Blackburn even doing pitching in the major leagues? In his previous 10 starts, his ERA is… drum roll please… an 8.83 car-wreck. For left-handed swingers, their batting practice pitcher is harder to hit, as they rip Blackburn all around the yard at a .379 pace.

A. J. Burnett, Pittsburgh Pirates • 4-12

If there is one slinger that could break type for having horrible history this month, it is Burnett. Having arguably the best season of his career, the Pittsburgh chucker is 10-for-10 in starts at PNC Park with a 2.00 ERA and a puny WHIP of 1.05. His secret has been inducing ground ball outs, averaging 13 per nine innings.

Aaron Cook, Boston Red Sox • 2-8

Boston has been so desperate to fill out their rotation; they have been forced to use Cook. To his credit, the former Rockies right-hander does throw strikes, with just four walks in 40 innings. Nonetheless, Cook will not be confused with Aroldis Chapman, with a mere four strikeouts in the same span of time. Twice thru the lineup is about all you can expect from Cook to retire many batters.

Freddy Garcia, New York Yankees • 3-7

After really struggling out of the gate, Garcia has been a reliable option for the Yankees with a 3.32 ERA in his past 10 outings (five starts). His failures this month could be traced to wearing down at his age from a long season. Garcia might not this year since he only has nine starts for the year and could be fresher. Time will tell.

Paul Maholm, Atlanta Braves • 3-13

In his career, Maholm has played on several pitiful Pittsburgh clubs, which in part speaks to his woes in August. The Cubs were about the same as those Pirates clubs, yet Maholm could have the first winning season of his career, having not lost since June 23, and sporting a sparkling 2.39 ERA in his last 10 outings. Can a move to Atlanta keep his confidence up to change his prior fortunes?

Kevin Millwood, Seattle Mariners • 4-11

Having a 37-year-old Millwood as one of your main cogs of the rotation tells you how pitching-thin Seattle is. His numbers are better than they were in Baltimore two years ago, nevertheless, Millwood has only four wins and the outlook is like a gloomy Seattle day.

Ross Ohlendorf, San Diego Padres • 4-8

In spite of a 5.05 ERA this campaign, Ohlendorf has a 3-1 record. With opponents hitting .287 against his tosses, the Padres hurler’s winning record in unlikely to last too much longer.

MLB

Wednesday, August 1

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What bettors need to know: Marlins at Braves
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GAME: Miami Marlins (47-56) at Atlanta Braves (59-44)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 01 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: 185, -198 TOTAL: 7.5

Atlanta and Miami moved in opposite directions in the hours leading up to Tuesday’s trade deadline. The streaking Braves acquired help for their starting rotation and bench, while the sinking Marlins traded away more pieces of a team that is nine games below .500. Atlanta won its seventh in a row Tuesday while handing Miami its 10th loss in its past 13 contests. The Braves have won the first two games of the series and are a season-best 15 games above .500.

Miami gives left-hander Wade LeBlanc his first start of the season in the third game of the four-game series. LeBlanc replaces disappointing starter Carlos Zambrano, who has been sent to the bullpen. The Braves counter with Ben Sheets, who has provided three stellar starts in his return to the big leagues.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Miami), SportSouth (Atlanta).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Miami LH Wade LeBlanc (1-1, 1.15 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Ben Sheets (3-0, 0.50).

LeBlanc started 16 games for Triple-A New Orleans this season, going 5-5 with a 3.74 ERA. He made 52 starts for San Diego from 2008-2011. LeBlanc’s longest relief stint is a three-inning effort July 7 at St. Louis. He tossed one inning of hitless relief in his last appearance Sunday against the Padres.

Sheets allowed his first run in his last start, but didn't surrender another while limiting Phillies to six hits in six innings. Sheets, who missed all of 2009 and 2011 with injuries, has struck out 15 hitters in 18 innings with just five walks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta P Paul Maholm, acquired along with OF Reed Johnson from the Cubs early Tuesday morning, will start Saturday against Houston. Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said Tuesday afternoon Johnson may start for either Jason Heyward or Michael Bourn on Wednesday.

2. Miami shipped P Edward Mujica and former starting 1B Gaby Sanchez out in separate deals on Tuesday.

3. Atlanta P Tommy Hanson, who has struggled with his control recently, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back. Kris Medlen, who started Tuesday’s game, will take Hanson’s place in the rotation.

BETTING TRENDS

- The Marlins are 3-13 in their last 16 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
- The Braves are 7-0 in their last seven games as a favorite.
- Atlanta is 11-1 in its last 12 vs. a team with a losing record.
- The under is 7-1-1 in Florida’s last nine games as a road underdog.

Early Best Bets !

Wednesday, August 1

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Baltimore - 1:05 PM ET NY Yankees -190 500
NY Yankees - Over 10 500

Chi. White Sox - 1:10 PM ET Minnesota +112 500
Minnesota - Over 8.5 500

Houston - 2:10 PM ET Houston +224 500
Milwaukee - Over 8.5 500

Pittsburgh - 2:20 PM ET Chi. Cubs +110 500
Chi. Cubs - Under 8.5 500

Arizona - 3:10 PM ET Arizona -110 500
LA Dodgers - Over 7.5 500

Tampa Bay - 3:35 PM ET Oakland -121 500
Oakland - Over 7.5 500

Evening Games:

MLB

Wednesday, August 1

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Philadelphia 0 Bot 0 Philadelphia +126 500
Washington 0 Over 8.5 500

Detroit 0 Bot 0 Boston -105 500
Boston 0 Over 10.5 500

Miami - 7:10 PM ET Atlanta -180 500
Atlanta - Under 8 500

San Diego - 7:10 PM ET San Diego +163 500
Cincinnati - Over 8.5 500

LA Angels - 8:05 PM ET LA Angels +153 500
Texas - Over 10 500

Cleveland - 8:10 PM ET Kansas City -105 500
Kansas City - Over 9 500

St. Louis - 8:40 PM ET St. Louis -124 500
Colorado - Under 10.5 500

Toronto - 10:10 PM ET Toronto -114 500
Seattle - Under 7 500

NY Mets - 10:15 PM ET San Francisco -169 500
San Francisco - Under 6.5 500