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Who's Hot - NL Edition

July 1, 2014

We're in the midst of the dog days of summer, and this is the time of year when we are really going to be separating the pretenders from the contenders. Join us today as we look at the teams in the National League who are really tearing it up as we head into the month of July.

Milwaukee Brewers (51-33, +$1,571) – We're really not all that sure why and how the Brewers have been competing in the rough and tumble NL Central, but they are still hanging in there and clearly will have staying power for the rest of the year. Francisco Rodriguez has completely revived his career this year and is one of the best closers in the game, while Jonathan Lucroy, Scooter Gennett, and Carlos Gomez are all having career types of years. Ryan Braun is slugging over .500 as well, while Khris Davis isn't all that far away. Better yet? There has only been a total of one missed start this year due to injury out of the rotation. Wily Peralta and Kyle Lohse are pitching beyond their abilities right now as we see it though, so the Brew Crew could be ready to take a step in the wrong direction if these starters don't keep it up.

San Francisco Giants (46-36, +$669) – And this is why the Giants can't be trusted on a regular basis. The team was just swept for four games at home against Cincinnati, and the offense scored a grand total of just six runs in those four games, including getting virtually no hit by Homer Bailey and the Reds. The only game that the team has won since June 22nd was the no-no by Tim Lincecum. It was only a matter of time until these bats cooled down, but this has been borderline ridiculous. The schedule ahead isn't friendly for the bats either, as there are three games at home against the Cards before a trip to Petco Park. Things really need to improve in a hurry, because these pitchers can't be tasked with throwing no-hitters in order to get wins all the time.

Cincinnati Reds (43-39, +$380) – It's a long dip down to the Reds, and it's proof of just how wide open the National League is this year. Cincinnati is only on this list because of its four-game sweep against the Giants at AT&T Park, and that took it from a losing team to a winning one both SU and for betting purposes. The Reds have had six straight quality starts out of their starters, but will that really continue? Here's the caution: Only five teams have winning money records in the NL, and the only one we feel good about staying that way for the whole season is Milwaukee. Anything can, and frequently will change in the NL for the rest of the season. Cincinnati is just the team du jour right now.

Diamond Trends - Tuesday

July 1, 2014


SU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Diamondbacks are 0-14 (+$1,415) since 2009 if they aren’t more than -135 favorites and have allowed six or less hits each of the past three games.

PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- When Clay Buchholz starts the Red Sox are 13-0 since August 24, 2009 as a favorite after winning as an away dog in his last start for a net profit of $1300.

MLB BIBLE ACTIVE TREND:

-- The Rays are 1-26 OU since August 2010 against AL teams as a favorite of more than -115 with a total between 7.5-8.5 off a one run win in a night game.

CHOICE TREND:

-- The Cardinals are 0-10 since May 18, 2007 on the road within 20 cents of pickem after a loss in which they allowed 5+ walks and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $1007 when playing against.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- When Tim Lincecum starts the Giants are 3-14 since April 23, 2011 after he had a WHIP of less than one his last start and they won in his previous start for a net profit of $1191 when playing against.

Tuesday's Late Action

July 1, 2014

Indians at Dodgers – 10:10 PM EST

Probable Pitchers:
CLE: Masterson (4-5, 5.03 ERA)
LAD: Beckett (5-4, 2.11 ERA)

A pair of former Red Sox hurlers square off tonight at Dodger Stadium after Los Angeles edged Cleveland in the series opener on Monday, 1-0. Dan Haren pitched fantastic by limiting the Tribe to just one hit in seven innings, while the Dodgers’ lone run came in the seventh inning as L.A. cashed as +115 home underdogs. Now, the Dodgers will look to win their fourth straight game tonight while not allowing a run in the last 24 innings.

Josh Beckett picked up a no-decision in his past outing against the Cardinals, a 1-0 home triumph last Thursday as a short ‘dog. Los Angeles won for just the third time in Beckett’s nine starts at Chavez Ravine, while the right-hander didn’t allow a run for the third time in his previous four trips to the mound. This will be the third start Beckett is making against an American League squad this season, as the Dodgers lost to the Tigers and White Sox the first two times around.

Justin Masterson was spotted an early four-run lead in his last outing at Arizona, but the Indians eventually lost in extra innings to the Diamondbacks, 9-8. The Cleveland right-hander allowed five earned runs for the second straight road start, but the Tribe owns a spectacular 6-1 record this season in Masterson’s following start after a defeat in his previous outing.

The Indians are 2-7 the last nine games since Nick Swisher’s walk-off grand slam against the Angels in late June, while the Dodgers are on fire by winning eight of the past 10 contests, including allowing one run or less six times in this stretch.

Reds at Padres – 10:10 PM EST

Probable Pitchers:
CIN: Leake (6-6, 3.41 ERA)
SD: Kennedy (5-9, 4.01 ERA)

The Padres found a way to win last night by racking up just one hit in a 1-0 victory over old friend Mat Latos and the Reds as a short favorite. San Diego beat Pittsburgh earlier this season with only one base hit, as the Padres have now won two straight games following a three-game skid. The loss by the Reds snapped a five-game hot stretch, which included an impressive four-game sweep of the Giants this past weekend at AT&T Park.

Ian Kennedy looks to avoid his tenth loss of the season tonight, as the right-hander has struggled all season when pitching at Petco Park. The Padres own a 3-6 record in his nine home starts, but San Diego has won each of his past two home outings against Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Kennedy was knocked around the last time he faced the Reds back in May, giving up five earned runs and 11 hits in six innings of a 5-0 defeat at the Great American Ballpark.

The Reds send out Mike Leake, who is seeking his fourth consecutive win after his most stellar start of the season at San Francisco. The right-hander struck out a career-high 12 batters, as Cincinnati is 4-0 in his past four road outings. Leake is seeking revenge for a 2-1 home defeat to the Padres in May, in spite of tossing eight solid innings and scattering just two hits and one run.

Cardinals at Giants – 10:15 PM EST

Probable Pitchers:
STL: Gonzales (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
SF: Lincecum (6-5, 4.42 ERA)

The Giants have endured a roller-coaster season so far, starting 11-10, then owning a 42-21 record, but now have stumbled to a 4-15 mark the past 19 games. San Francisco’s offense disappeared in a four-game sweep at the hands of Cincinnati this past weekend, while also losing two of three to the light-hitting Padres. However, the lone highlight during this miserable stretch was Tim Lincecum’s second career no-hitter on June 25 against San Diego.

Lincecum makes his first start since that 113-pitch gem in which he walked only one batter and struck out six in a 4-0 victory. The Giants improved to 7-3 at home in his 10 starts at AT&T Park this season, including a 6-1 ledger during the day. Lincecum has faced the Cardinals just once since the 2012 campaign and that came in the NLCS when the former Cy Young winner allowed four earned runs in less than five innings of an 8-3 loss.

The Giants took three of four from the Cardinals at Busch Stadium back in late May, as San Francisco scored at least six runs in the three victories. The Cardinals dropped three of four this past weekend at Los Angeles, while getting held to one run in the last two losses to Cy Young winners Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. St. Louis sends out southpaw Marco Gonzales tonight, who is making his second career start after allowing five earned runs and seven hits in five innings at Colorado, but the Cardinals managed a 7-5 victory.

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

-- Offshoot of Jason Kidd-to-Milwaukee: Nets-Bucks cannot trade this season.

-- Atlanta catcher Evan Gattis has a bulging disk in his back, is on the DL.

-- Three weeks after the fact, Manny Machado gets the same 5-game suspension he got originally. Orioles play division rival Boston later this week, too.

-- Matt Wieters leads AL All-Star vote getters at catcher; he only played 26 games and is out for the year after Tommy John surgery.

-- There are seven states in this country bigger than Belgium.

-- Happy Canada Day to our friends north of the border.

**********

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

13) Bad couple of days to be Larry Drew, now the ex-coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. Guy went 128-102 in three years coaching the Atlanta Hawks, but got fired last spring after going 10-14 in the playoffs in Atlanta, only to surface in Milwaukee coaching a God-awful Bucks’ team, going 15-67 this past season.

But with Jabari Parker getting drafted by the Bucks last week, there was hope the team would improve this season, which it still might, just not with Drew as coach. Team fired him Monday so they could hire Jason Kidd as head coach. When the guy who hires a coach is no longer there, and the Bucks changed ownership recently, the coach has every right to feel nervous. Life can be cruel sometimes.

12) Ever hear of Les Moss? I doubt you have; he was a pretty good pitching coach in the 70’s and was named the Detroit Tigers’ manager in 1979, replacing Ralph Houk. But in June of 1979 Sparky Anderson let it be known he was available as a manager after the Reds let him go, so Moss was fired after a 27-26 start in his only full-time managing gig in the big leagues (he had gone 12-24 as an interim manager with the ’68 White Sox). Moss never managed again; Anderson stayed 16 years in the Motor City. Good move for Detroit, but Moss never got another chance.

11) TheMMQB.com has a few interesting articles posted on the CFL; they spent last week north of the border and reported back with some interesting stuff. If you like pro football, it is worth reading.

10) CFL has instant replay challenges on pass interference penalties, which is interesting; wonder if the NFL has an eye on that experiment going forward?

9) Toronto Raptors can keep secrets; they drafted the obscure Bruno Cabocio from Brazil last week. ESPN didn’t even have anything on this guy, but Toronto GM Masai Ujiri saw him play three times, kept it under his hat and now has quite the project on his hands.

Cabocio is 18 years old, 6-foot-9, as only played in 17 professional games, but he has what all NBA teams want: great upside. The NBA likes potential.

8) Joe Girardi is doing a good job with his Bronx Bombers; they’re 23-14 in games decided by 1-2 runs, so they’re getting the most out of marginal games. Problem for them is, they’re 18-26 in games decided by 3+ runs, which shows that they’re not really a very good team. They're also 3-9 at home in games where the winning run scored after the sixth inning.

7) Oakland A’s are 10-4 on the road when the winning run scores from the 7th inning on. Bob Melvin is getting every drop out of his ballclub; they have a great record, despite losing their #1/#3 starting pitchers for the year in spring training.

6) In case you’re keeping track, there have been 57 major league games this season that were 0-0 after five innings.

5) Good young umpire: Alan Porter; he works on Joe West’s crew. He is decisive and I haven’t seen him in any arguments, which means he has respect and also hasn’t butchered too many calls.

4) Rangers are 7-1 in Colby Lewis starts when they give him more than two runs; problem there is, they’ve scored 2 or less runs in five of his eight home starts.

3) Former Ohio State/Ravens’ QB Troy Smith is the new starting QB with the Montreal Alouettes, but his lack of accuracy throwing the ball will be a problem there, too. Alouettes got waxed 29-8 in their opener at Saskatchewan Sunday- Smith was 18-41 passing, for 154 yards.

2) Guy named Drew MacPherson in Tennessee got hole-in-ones on consecutive days last week, on different courses. Golfing stat nerds say the odds of getting aces on consecutive days is roughly 5.7 million to 1.

1) Brooklyn Nets’ basketball operations lost $144M last year; that doesn’t count whatever they made/lost on their ownership deal with Barclays Arena, which was probably profitable, but not THAT profitable.

Wizards lost $13M- that was the next worst plus/minus as far as just basketball expenses go. Now the Nets have to replace Kidd with a coach who will probably make more than the $3.3M Kidd was taking home, giving them a little more red ink to swim in.

At least they’ll be a little less likely to get stabbed in the back next spring.

MLB
Dunkel

Tampa Bay at NY Yankees
The Yankees look to bounce back from last night's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Rays (36-49) and come into tonight's contest with a 12-3 record in Hiroki Kuroda's last 15 home starts against a team with a losing record. New York is the pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the Yankees favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+105). Here are all of today's MLB picks.

TUESDAY, JULY 1

Game 901-902: Arizona at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Miley) 17.021; Pittsburgh (Locke) 15.641
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-135); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+115); Over

Game 903-904: Colorado at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Friedrich) 14.753; Washington (Strasburg) 18.303
Dunkel Line: Washington by 3 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Washington (-260); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-260); Under

Game 905-906: NY Mets at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Matsuzaka) 15.767; Atlanta (Minor) 14.606
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+160); Over

Game 907-908: Philadelphia at Miami (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Burnett) 14.319; Miami (Alvarez) 15.927
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Miami (-135); 7
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-135); Under

Game 909-910: Cincinnati at San Diego (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Leake) 15.956; San Diego (Kennedy) 17.322
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-105); Under

Game 911-912: St. Louis at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Gonzales) 16.949; San Francisco (Lincecum) 15.887
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+110); Over

Game 913-914: Oakland at Detroit (7:08 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Mills) 15.985; Detroit (Porcello) 17.421
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-145); Under

Game 915-916: Texas at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Martinez) 15.611; Baltimore (McFarland) 14.321
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+115); Over

Game 917-918: Tampa Bay at NY Yankees (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Price) 15.667; NY Yankees (Kuroda) 16.451
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+105); Over

Game 919-920: Kansas City at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Shields) 17.217; Minnesota (Nolasco) 15.560
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-130); Under

Game 921-922: Seattle at Houston (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Iwakuma) 14.353; Houston (Cosart) 15.743
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+100); Over

Game 923-924: LA Angels at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 15.883; White Sox (Carroll) 14.451
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-165); Under

Game 925-926: Milwaukee at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Estrada) 15.712; Toronto (Hutchison) 14.376
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+110); Over

Game 927-928: Chicago Cubs at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Jackson) 14.374; Boston (Buchholz) 15.956
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-165); Under

Game 929-930: Cleveland at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Masterson) 12.888; LA Dodgers (Beckett) 14.223
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-170); 7
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-170); Under

Game 931-932: LA Angels at Chicago White Sox (5:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Richards) 15.883; White Sox (Noesi) 15.001
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 10
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-160); Over

MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, July 1

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ARIZONA (35 - 49) at PITTSBURGH (42 - 40) - 7:05 PM
WADE MILEY (L) vs. JEFF LOCKE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 35-49 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 35-49 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 139-111 (+23.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 201-212 (+31.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 21-7 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 137-110 (+21.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 30-20 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 75-50 (+16.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 47-51 (-20.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

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

WADE MILEY vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
MILEY is 2-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.10 and a WHIP of 1.169.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

JEFF LOCKE vs. ARIZONA since 1997
LOCKE is 0-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 26.97 and a WHIP of 4.869.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

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COLORADO (36 - 47) at WASHINGTON (44 - 38) - 7:05 PM
CHRISTIAN FRIEDRICH (L) vs. STEPHEN STRASBURG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 45-80 (-23.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 194-255 (-68.0 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997.
STRASBURG is 23-24 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 1-6 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 1-8 (-11.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 23-24 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 20-23 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against COLORADO this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

CHRISTIAN FRIEDRICH vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
FRIEDRICH is 0-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 8.31 and a WHIP of 2.079.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

STEPHEN STRASBURG vs. COLORADO since 1997
STRASBURG is 1-2 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 2.84 and a WHIP of 1.105.
His team's record is 1-2 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

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NY METS (37 - 46) at ATLANTA (45 - 38) - 7:10 PM
DAISUKE MATSUZAKA (R) vs. MIKE MINOR (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 25-57 (-22.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 115-69 (+30.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 35-15 (+15.3 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 61-65 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 61-65 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 20-16 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-3 (+0.5 Units) against NY METS this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)

DAISUKE MATSUZAKA vs. ATLANTA since 1997
MATSUZAKA is 1-2 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 2.000.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-2. (-2.3 units)

MIKE MINOR vs. NY METS since 1997
MINOR is 4-2 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 4.88 and a WHIP of 1.336.
His team's record is 6-3 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-6. (-3.9 units)

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PHILADELPHIA (36 - 46) at MIAMI (39 - 43) - 7:10 PM
A.J. BURNETT (R) vs. HENDERSON ALVAREZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 109-135 (-28.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 109-133 (-26.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 79-104 (-28.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 50-63 (-22.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
BURNETT is 85-118 (-39.2 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BURNETT is 70-98 (-32.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
BURNETT is 55-84 (-31.7 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MIAMI is 33-21 (+17.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 29-25 (+6.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 180-169 (+32.5 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 6-4 (+2.1 Units) against MIAMI this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.3 Units)

A.J. BURNETT vs. MIAMI since 1997
BURNETT is 2-2 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 2.97 and a WHIP of 1.418.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.6 units)

HENDERSON ALVAREZ vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
ALVAREZ is 1-1 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 2.02 and a WHIP of 1.425.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.6 units)

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CINCINNATI (43 - 39) at SAN DIEGO (36 - 47) - 10:10 PM
MIKE LEAKE (R) vs. IAN KENNEDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 681-747 (+62.2 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 618-691 (+46.2 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 443-487 (+37.5 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 36-28 (+7.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CINCINNATI is 107-69 (+27.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 75-47 (+19.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 213-172 (+45.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
SAN DIEGO is 36-47 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 24-35 (-13.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN DIEGO is 36-47 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN DIEGO is 27-40 (-15.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KENNEDY is 8-17 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KENNEDY is 7-17 (-11.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 3-1 (+2.0 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.0 Units)

MIKE LEAKE vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
LEAKE is 0-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 2.66 and a WHIP of 1.098.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+1.8 units)

IAN KENNEDY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
KENNEDY is 3-1 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 2.55 and a WHIP of 1.076.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.1 units)

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ST LOUIS (44 - 39) at SAN FRANCISCO (46 - 36) - 10:15 PM
MARCO GONZALES (L) vs. TIM LINCECUM (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 6-18 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in road games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 4-12 (-9.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 86-56 (+25.1 Units) against the money line after getting shut out since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 22-15 (+8.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 117-73 (+23.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 74-37 (+28.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 8-17 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 14-25 (-14.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 71-83 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LINCECUM is 6-17 (-13.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 3-1 (+2.8 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

MARCO GONZALES vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
No recent starts.

TIM LINCECUM vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
LINCECUM is 5-2 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 3.33 and a WHIP of 1.227.
His team's record is 6-2 (+4.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+2.0 units)

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

OAKLAND (51 - 31) at DETROIT (45 - 34) - 7:05 PM
BRAD MILLS (L) vs. RICK PORCELLO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 51-31 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 27-16 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
OAKLAND is 34-15 (+19.0 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 49-27 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 90-58 (+18.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 161-112 (+44.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 96-73 (+23.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 67-47 (+18.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 143-109 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 139-106 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 39-35 (-23.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 3-2 (+1.5 Units) against OAKLAND this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.8 Units)

BRAD MILLS vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.

RICK PORCELLO vs. OAKLAND since 1997
PORCELLO is 3-5 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.53 and a WHIP of 1.645.
His team's record is 4-5 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-7. (-6.2 units)

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TEXAS (37 - 45) at BALTIMORE (43 - 39) - 7:05 PM
NICK MARTINEZ (R) vs. TJ MCFARLAND (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 37-45 (-7.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 20-29 (-18.3 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 23-34 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 13-27 (-17.8 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.
BALTIMORE is 44-39 (+6.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 203-163 (+43.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 29-22 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BALTIMORE is 158-129 (+37.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 6-13 (-9.3 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 3-1 (+2.0 Units) against TEXAS this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.9 Units)

NICK MARTINEZ vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
MARTINEZ is 0-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 2.251.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

TJ MCFARLAND vs. TEXAS since 1997
No recent starts.

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TAMPA BAY (36 - 49) at NY YANKEES (41 - 40) - 7:05 PM
DAVID PRICE (L) vs. HIROKI KURODA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 36-49 (-26.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 14-25 (-16.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 21-32 (-19.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 28-33 (-14.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TAMPA BAY is 18-25 (-12.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 21-5 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 536-618 (+18.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997.
PRICE is 28-11 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 9-15 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
NY YANKEES are 19-25 (-11.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
KURODA is 13-21 (-10.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 5-3 (+1.3 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

DAVID PRICE vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
PRICE is 9-5 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.271.
His team's record is 14-8 (+6.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 15-6. (+8.9 units)

HIROKI KURODA vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
KURODA is 2-3 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 6.94 and a WHIP of 1.542.
His team's record is 2-4 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-5. (-5.0 units)

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KANSAS CITY (43 - 39) at MINNESOTA (37 - 44) - 8:10 PM
JAMES SHIELDS (R) vs. RICKY NOLASCO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NOLASCO is 21-6 (+18.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 15-9 (+9.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 64-56 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 47-41 (+15.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 18-10 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Tuesday over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 58-51 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 15-7 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
SHIELDS is 53-31 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 21-7 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 19-7 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SHIELDS is 11-2 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 43-75 (-28.1 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 19-44 (-21.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 13-37 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-3 (+2.3 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
SHIELDS is 7-4 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.06 and a WHIP of 1.432.
His team's record is 9-7 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-7. (+1.5 units)

RICKY NOLASCO vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
NOLASCO is 1-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.95 and a WHIP of 1.244.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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SEATTLE (45 - 38) at HOUSTON (36 - 48) - 8:10 PM
HISASHI IWAKUMA (R) vs. JARRED COSART (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 50-61 (-22.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 318-296 (-74.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
SEATTLE is 45-38 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 24-16 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
SEATTLE is 44-43 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 21-15 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 38-38 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 17-8 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
IWAKUMA is 35-25 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
IWAKUMA is 34-24 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 44-81 (-25.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 9-41 (-24.6 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 16-40 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 44-81 (-25.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 31-89 (-35.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 9-40 (-20.8 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 5-6 (+1.7 Units) against SEATTLE this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.8 Units)

HISASHI IWAKUMA vs. HOUSTON since 1997
IWAKUMA is 3-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 2.72 and a WHIP of 1.160.
His team's record is 3-3 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-1. (+3.9 units)

JARRED COSART vs. SEATTLE since 1997
COSART is 0-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 2.50 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

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

LA ANGELS (45 - 35) at CHI WHITE SOX (39 - 44) - 8:10 PM
GARRETT RICHARDS (R) vs. HECTOR NOESI (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 3-0 (+3.1 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

GARRETT RICHARDS vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

HECTOR NOESI vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
NOESI is 0-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

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MILWAUKEE (51 - 33) at TORONTO (45 - 39) - 1:05 PM
MARCO ESTRADA (R) vs. DREW HUTCHISON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 9-20 (-12.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 62-82 (-29.7 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 51-33 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 11-4 (+8.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
MILWAUKEE is 27-15 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 19-12 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 21-11 (+10.4 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
MILWAUKEE is 43-36 (+15.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
ESTRADA is 8-1 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

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

MARCO ESTRADA vs. TORONTO since 1997
No recent starts.

DREW HUTCHISON vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

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CHICAGO CUBS (35 - 46) at BOSTON (38 - 45) - 7:10 PM
EDWIN JACKSON (R) vs. CLAY BUCHHOLZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 162-244 (-48.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 374-416 (-91.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 177-244 (-92.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 162-244 (-48.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 71-115 (-34.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1-11 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 668-670 (-157.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
JACKSON is 15-32 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JACKSON is 12-30 (-14.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JACKSON is 15-32 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JACKSON is 13-25 (-13.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 69-44 (+19.7 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BUCHHOLZ is 22-9 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BUCHHOLZ is 29-14 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 29-23 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 38-46 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 46-49 (-20.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 36-42 (-12.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BOSTON is 24-31 (-11.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BOSTON is 12-19 (-10.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 1-0 (+1.6 Units) against BOSTON this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

EDWIN JACKSON vs. BOSTON since 1997
JACKSON is 2-4 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 5.59 and a WHIP of 1.722.
His team's record is 4-6 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-6. (-2.4 units)

CLAY BUCHHOLZ vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

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CLEVELAND (39 - 43) at LA DODGERS (48 - 37) - 10:10 PM
JUSTIN MASTERSON (R) vs. JOSH BECKETT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 13-25 (-11.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 19-6 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 131-114 (+17.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 0-6 (-7.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
BECKETT is 8-15 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BECKETT is 13-26 (-18.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less since 1997. (Team's Record)
BECKETT is 10-18 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
BECKETT is 8-15 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BECKETT is 11-27 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 1-0 (+1.2 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

JUSTIN MASTERSON vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

JOSH BECKETT vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
BECKETT is 6-6 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 4.98 and a WHIP of 1.197.
His team's record is 7-6 (-2.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-8. (-3.6 units)

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LA ANGELS (45 - 35) at CHI WHITE SOX (39 - 44) - 5:10 PM
JERED WEAVER (R) vs. SCOTT CARROLL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 115-117 (-23.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 87-88 (-18.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 723-713 (+58.9 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 23-11 (+11.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
WEAVER is 41-17 (+18.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 102-143 (-28.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 97-137 (-28.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 3-0 (+3.1 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

JERED WEAVER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
WEAVER is 8-2 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 1.70 and a WHIP of 0.892.
His team's record is 9-2 (+5.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-9. (-7.8 units)

SCOTT CARROLL vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
No recent starts.

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, July 1

Arizona-Pirates
Miley is 0-1, 5.46 in his last five starts.
Locke is 1-1, 2.51 in his last four starts.

Arizona won three of its last four road games.
Pirates won seven of their last nine games.

Seven of last nine Miley starts stayed under total.

Rockies-Nationals
Friedrich is 0-2, 12.60 in two starts this season.
Strasburg is 0-2, 7.27 in his last three starts.

Colorado lost 12 of its last 14 games.
Nationals won ten of their last 13 home games.

Over is 13-3-1 in last seventeen Colorado road games.

Mets-Braves
Matsuzaka is 0-2, 5.84 in his last three starts.
Minor is 0-1, 7.36 in his last four starts.

Mets lost five of their last six games.
Atlanta won seven of its last eight games.

Seven of last nine Atlanta games stayed under total.

Phillies-Marlins
Burnett is 2-2, 2.59 in his last four starts.
Marlins won last eight Alvarez starts (3-0, 1.17 in last seven).

Philly lost five of its last six games.
Miami lost nine of its last twelve games.

Four of last five Alvarez starts stayed under total.

Reds-Padres
Leake is 3-0, 2.57 in his last three starts.
Kennedy is 0-3, 6.46 in his last four starts.

Cincinnati won 13 of its last 18 road games.
Padres lost four of their last six home games.

12 of last 14 games at Petco Park stayed under.

Cardinals-Giants
Gonzales allowed five runs in five IP in his first MLB start.
Lincecum is 2-1, 3.00 in his last four starts, last of which was no-hitter.

St Louis lost three of its last four games.
Giants lost 12 of their last 14 home games.

Under is 10-4-1 in last fifteen St Louis road games.

A's-Tigers
Mills has a 5.23 RA in two starts, both Oakland wins.
Porcello is 2-0, 1.23 in his last three starts.

Oakland won 11 of its last 15 games.
Tigers won six of their last eight games.

Six of last seven Oakland games went over the total.

Rangers-Orioles
Martinez is 0-4, 8.26 in his last six starts.
McFarland is making second MLB start; he has 2.70 RA in 14 appearances in relief this year, throwing 26.2 innings. He allowed three runs in 2.2 IP (63 PT) in that one start last year.

Rangers lost ten of their last twelve games.
Baltimore lost three of its last five games.

Eight of last eleven Texas road games stayed under.

Rays-Bronx
Price is 2-1, 2.22 in his last three starts.
Kuroda is 1-2, 4.13 in his last four starts.

Tampa Bay won five of its last six games.
Bronx lost seven of its last nine games.

Last five Kuroda starts stayed under the total.

Royals-Twins
Shields has a 6.10 RA in his last six starts.
Nolasco is 0-1, 6.05 in his last four starts.

Royals won nine of their last ten road games.
Minnesota lost six of their last seven games. .

10 of last 12 Shields starts went over the total.

Mariners-Astros
Iwakuma is 1-2, 5.11 in his last four starts.
Cosart is 4-0, 2.25 in his last four starts.

Seattle won eight of its last ten games.
Houston lost ten of its last fourteen games.

Eight of last eleven Cosart starts stayed under total.

Angels-White Sox
Richards is 4-0, 1.05 in his last five starts. Weaver is 1-0, 1.20 in his last two.
Noesi is 1-1, 5.89 in his last four starts. Carroll is 0-4, 9.38 in his last five.

Angels won seven of last nine games, but lost 11 of last 15 on road.
White Sox won their last three games.

Seven of last eight White Sox home games went over.

Brewers-Blue Jays
Estrada is 2-2, 7.45 in his last five starts.
Hutchison is 1-3, 5.76 in his last four starts.

Milwaukee won four of its last five games.
Toronto lost nine of its last thirteen games.

Last seven Estrada starts went over the total.

Cubs-Red Sox
Jackson is 1-3, 7.71 in his last four starts.
Buchholz is 1-2, 8.53 in his last five starts.

Cubs won five of their last seven road games.
Red Sox lost seven of their last eleven games.

12 of last 13 games at Fenway Park stayed under.

Indians-Dodgers
Masterson is 0-1, 7.62 in his last three starts.
Beckett is 3-1, 1.33 in his last four starts.

Cleveland lost seven of its last nine games.
Dodgers won 13 of their last 17 games.

Six of last seven Beckett starts stayed under the total.

Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- Miley 3-17; Locke 2-5
-- Friedrich 1-2; Strasburg 5-17
-- Matsuzaka 2-6; Minor 3-11
-- Burnett 5-17; Alvarez 4-16 (0 of last 7)
-- Leake 2-16; Kennedy 5-17
-- Gonzales 0-1; Lincecum 6-16

-- Mills 0-2; Porcello 6-15
-- Martinez 3-10; McFarland 0-0
-- Price 7-17; Kuroda 6-16
-- Shields 4-17 (3 of last 6); Nolasco 6-16 (4 of last 4)
-- Iwakuma 2-11; Cosart 7-16
-- Richards 3-16, Weaver 4-17; Noesi 3-11, Carroll 3-6

-- Estrada 5-16; Hutchison 3-16
-- Jackson 7-16; Buchholz 4-11 (0 of last 4)
-- Masterson 3-17; Beckett 2-15

Umpires
-- Col-Wsh-- Underdogs won nine of last thirteen Foster games.
-- NY-Atl-- Seven of last nine Scott games stayed under total.
-- Cin-SD-- Underdogs won seven of last eight Miller games; under is 6-3-2 in his last eleven games behind plate.

-- A's-Det-- Underdogs won nine of last thirteen Estabrook games.
-- Tex-Blt-- Six of last nine Diaz games went over the total.
-- TB-NY-- Five of six Marquez games stayed under total.
-- KC-Min-- Road team won five of last six Hoberg games.
-- Sea-Hst-- Over is 4-2-1 in last seven Timmons games.

-- Chi-Bos-- Favorites won eight of last ten Baker games.
-- Cle-LA-- Underdogs won five of last six Johnson games.

MLB

Tuesday, July 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jays costing bettors, but Overs cashing on Canada Day
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Rogers Centre will be a sea of red and white Tuesday with the sold-out home crowd celebrating Canada Day. The Toronto Blue Jays, who will sport their special red July 1 uniforms, take on the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of a two-game set.

The Blue Jays haven’t been at their best on Canada’s birthday in recent years. In fact, they’ve lost three of their last four July 1 matchups heading into Tuesday’s contest.

Since 1999, Toronto is 6-9 on Canada Day, but do sport a winning 4-3 record at home. If you wagered $100 on each of those 15 games, you’d be down -$166.63 and trading in your ice-cold Moosehead Cracked Canoe for a warm case of Laker Lager your uncle found in his old boat.

The Jays have been home for the holiday the past three seasons, defeating the Detroit Tigers 8-3 last year, losing 10-6 to the Los Angeles Angels in 2012 and 7-6 to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011. All three of those games played over the total.

Toronto is 8-7 over/under on July 1 (4-3 over/under at home) and has actually outscored opponents 80-70 over those 15 games, with an average of 10 combined runs in those contests.

Drew Hutchison (5-6, 4.00 ERA) gets the call for Canada Day, coming off a loss in a six inning effort versus the New York Yankees his last time out. The Blue Jays are just 1-3 in his last four starts and 1-4 Over/Under over his last five. He matches pitches with Brewers righty Marco Estrada (7-4, 5.06 ERA, 11-4-1 O/U). The O/U is 7-0 in Estrada's previous seven starts.

Toronto is just 3-6 as a moneyline favorite on Canada Day since 1999, with a 3-3 mark as an underdog.

MLB

Tuesday, July 1


Rays place SS Escobar on 15-day DL

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon announced after Monday’s victory against the New York Yankees that shortstop Yunel Escobar will go on the 15-day disabled list with soreness in his right shoulder. Escobar, who sustained the injury June 24 while making a throw to first base in the eighth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, participated in batting practice before Monday’s game.


Braves' Gattis headed for disabled list

The Atlanta Braves were hoping catcher Evan Gattis could avoid a trip to the disabled list. Now they are just hoping he won't be on the DL too long.

"You never know until the MRI," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The MRI on Monday revealed that Gattis has a bulging thoracic disk in his back and he will be placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.


Dodgers' SS Hanley Ramirez, questionable Tuesday

Ramirez has missed the last six games with a shoulder injury and more recently a calf strain. He was available to pinch hit Monday and is questionable to return to the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Indians.


A's LF Yoenis Cespedes, questionable Tuesday

Cespedes left Monday's game with a hamstring injury and is questionable to play Tuesday against the Tigers.


Mets' 3B David Wright, out Tuesday

Wright has missed the last four games with a bruised right rotator cuff and will not return on Tuesday against the Braves.

MLB

Tuesday, July 1

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Trend Report
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1:07 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. TORONTO
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games at home

5:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of LA Angels's last 12 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
LA Angels are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games at home

7:05 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Tampa Bay's last 14 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
NY Yankees are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing Tampa Bay
NY Yankees are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

7:05 PM
COLORADO vs. WASHINGTON
Colorado is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Colorado's last 12 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Colorado

7:05 PM
TEXAS vs. BALTIMORE
Texas is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Baltimore
Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Baltimore is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Baltimore's last 9 games when playing at home against Texas

7:05 PM
ARIZONA vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Arizona is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Arizona

7:08 PM
OAKLAND vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Oakland's last 16 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Detroit's last 16 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing at home against Oakland

7:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. BOSTON
Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Boston's last 21 games

7:10 PM
NY METS vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of NY Mets's last 16 games
NY Mets are 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home

7:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. MIAMI
Philadelphia is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing Miami
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami
Miami is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing Philadelphia
Miami is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games

8:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
Seattle is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Houston is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games

8:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
LA Angels5-0-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
LA Angels are 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games ,on the road
Chi White Sox are 2-4-1 SU in their last 7 games ,at home
Chi White Sox are 0-4-1 SU in their last 5 games ,when playing LA Angels

8:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Kansas City's last 9 games on the road
Kansas City is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Minnesota is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games

10:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. LA DODGERS
Cleveland is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing LA Dodgers
Cleveland is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games at home
LA Dodgers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home

10:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. SAN DIEGO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing San Diego
Cincinnati is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
San Diego is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

10:15 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. SAN FRANCISCO
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Francisco's last 9 games when playing St. Louis
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis

MLB
Short Sheet

Tuesday, July 1

Arizona at Pittsburgh, 7:05 ET
Miley: ARIZONA 11-21 after a game where the bullpen gave up no runs
Locke: PITTSBURGH 51-32 after having won 3 of their last 4 games

Colorado at Washington, 7:05 ET
Friedrich: COLORADO is 8-30 as a road underdog of +150 or more
Strasburg: 9-2 OVER as a favorite of -150 or more

NY Mets at Atlanta, 7:10 ET
Matsuzaka: NY METS 56-35 OVER as a road underdog of +125 to +175
Minor: ATLANTA 22-12 OVER after allowing 3 runs or less 3 straight games o

Philadelphia at Miami, 7:10 ET
Burnett: 8-29 TSR as a road underdog of +125 to +150
Alvarez: MIAMI 25-16 OVER in home games

Cincinnati at San Diego, 10:10 ET
Leake: CINCINNATI 107-69 after a loss
Kennedy: 7-17 TSR after a win

St Louis at San Francisco, 10:15 ET
Gonzalas: ST LOUIS 74-37 after a loss
Lincecum: 6-17 TSR after a loss

Oakland at Detroit, 7:05 ET
Mills: OAKLAND 96-73 after a loss
Porcello: 25-11 OVER against AL West opponents

Texas at Baltimore, 7:05 ET
Martinez: TEXAS 6-19 as an underdog of +100 to +150
McFarland: BALTIMORE 19-11 after having lost 2 of their last 3 games

Tampa Bay at NY Yankees, 7:05 ET
Price: TAMPA BAY 17-6 UNDER on the road when the money line is +125 to -125
Kuroda: 16-5 UNDER as an underdog

Kansas City at Minnesota, 8:10 ET
Shields: 12-4 OVER in all games
Nolasco: MINNESOTA 13-7 after a loss by 4 runs or more

Seattle at Houston, 8:10 ET
Iwakuma: SEATTLE 24-28 as a favorite of -125 to -175
Cosart: HOUSTON 13-8 after a loss by 4 runs or more

LA Angels at Chicago White Sox, 5:10 ET Doubleheader Game #1
Richards: 19-5 TSR as a favorite
Noesi: CHI WHITE SOX 9-2 OVER against AL West opponents

Milwaukee at Toronto, 1:05 ET
Estrada: MILWAUKEE 62-82 against the money line in day games
Hutchison: TORONTO 42-30 OVER as a home favorite

Chicago at Boston, 7:10 ET
Jackson: 12-30 TSR in road games
Buchholz: 19-5 TSR as a favorite of -125 to -175

Cleveland at LA Dodgers, 10:10 ET
Masterson: CLEVELAND 118-95 in road games revenging a one run loss to opponent
Beckett: LA DODGERS 0-6 after 3 or more consecutive wins

LA Angels at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 ET Doubleheader Game #2
Weaver: 70-37 TSR when the total is 8.5 to 10
Carroll: CHI WHITE SOX 9-2 OVER against AL West opponents

MLB

Tuesday, July 1

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Capping the calendar: July's best and worst MLB pitchers
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Fireworks and the MLB All-Star game signal the month of July. It also signifies the start of the 2nd half of the MLB campaign. The key to each and every team’s fortune lies on the pitching staff. Can they sustain or will they fold like a cheap lawn chair from K-Mart? Stay tuned.

What we do know is certain pitchers love hurling this time of the season while others tend to get lit up like a roman candle on the 4th of July.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team starts the last three seasons during the month of July. On the flip side, we’ve also listed pitchers that struggle in July 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 July over the last three years. Note: * designates pitcher was on this list last year.

I’ll be back next month with August’s Good Month Pitchers. Until then, it’s time to take me out to the ballgame…

GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

*Hudson, Tim • 12-5

When San Francisco signed Hudson, our guess is they were hoping for a serviceable No. 5 starter with veteran experience which could give them a better than 50-50 chance to win. It has turned much better for the Giants, winning 10 of Hudson’s 15 starts and he has held right-handed batters to just a .245 average. Especially watch for Hudson at home, where he’s only lost twice since last season.

Jackson, Edwin • 10-4

Have to admit, a stunner to see this much traveled ball-chucker having a good month any time. Wish I could say I had an answer for his July success for a guy who is 83-97 in the big leagues, but I don’t. In looking for a positive, Jackson pitches better at Wrigley Field than on the road (3.86 ERA vs. 6.70) and he’s won four of six decisions at the friendly confines this season.

*Kershaw, Clayton • 12-5

The best pitcher in baseball is coming off a fantastic June, in which he was 6-0 and surrendered four total runs in his starts and picked up a no-hitter. The early nit-picky talk about his curveball has quieted and he’s back to his old-dominate self. He has 107 strikeouts in 79.1 innings and a WHIP of 0.92. Opposing teams are hitting .209 against Kershaw and left-handed batters, why bother, with a .180 average.

*Porcello, Rick • 12-1

With a star-studded pitching staff, Porcello only ranks fourth in the rotation as far as ability, but this season he’s been then their moneyman in winning 11 of 15 outings. He’s also been one of the top bets among pitchers at +7.15 units. The big difference with the right-hander this season is his sinker has more dip and he’s making fewer bad pitches, leading to more wins and is on pace for a career-low WHIP of 1.19. If the Detroit offense continues hitting, keep backing Porcello in July.

Tillman, Chris • 7-3

The Orioles ace has picked up +5.6 units in spite of 4.00 ERA, with Baltimore 11-6. How has Tillman done this? While probably unaware of the betting odds, he knows when he matched against a very good starting pitcher from the opposing team and pitches better, which is why the O’s are 9-2 this season with Tillman as an underdog. He’s a fly-ball pitcher, who’s had some trouble on the road (5.53 ERA), if he can improve command, he should be a winner this month.

*Weaver, Jered • 13-5

Just love the analytics crowd who love to use a six-inch paintbrush to encompass a wide swath to their thought processes. “Weaver will continue in serious decline” was among the scathing preseason reviews of the angular right-hander. His fastball peaks out at 91 on good days and is more consistently 88-89 MPH and is does not compute to them he would concede 18 percent fewer hits to innings pitched with that kind of velocity. All Weaver does is win and dominate righty hitters (.163 BA).


BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Bedard, Eric • 1-10

Bedard was not good enough to pitch a second season with Houston and is primarily in the majors only because Tampa Bay needed a warm body in the spring after their starting staff was decimated by injuries. The 35-year old has not been horrible this season, but he’s not a fit on a team that expects to be a playoff contender, which Tampa Bay is not this season. More bad news ahead.

*Norris, Bud • 4-10

For his entire career, Norris has been a solid pitcher at home and unbelievably bad on the road. He must have been thrown in a lot of away games in July to earn this record and will start the month on the DL with a right groan strain. When he returns, definite Play Against potential in away games.

Tuesday, July 1

Game Score Status Pick Amount


Arizona - 7:05 PM ET Pittsburgh -131 500
Pittsburgh - Under 7.5 500

Texas - 7:05 PM ET Baltimore -135 500
Baltimore - Under 9.5 500

Colorado - 7:05 PM ET Colorado +214 500
Washington - Over 8 500

Tampa Bay - 7:05 PM ET Tampa Bay -122 500 *****
NY Yankees - Under 7.5 500

Oakland - 7:08 PM ET Oakland +111 500
Detroit - Over 9.5 500

Chi. Cubs - 7:10 PM ET Chi. Cubs +154 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Boston - Under 9.5 500

NY Mets - 7:10 PM ET Atlanta -178 500
Atlanta - Under 7.5 500

Philadelphia - 7:10 PM ET Miami -136 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Miami - Under 7.5 500

LA Angels - 8:10 PM ET LA Angels -159 500
Chi. White Sox - Over 9 500

Seattle - 8:10 PM ET Houston +118 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Houston - Under 7.5 500

Kansas City - 8:10 PM ET Kansas City -121 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Minnesota - Over 8 500

Cleveland - 10:10 PM ET Cleveland +126 500
LA Dodgers - Over 7 500

Cincinnati - 10:10 PM ET Cincinnati -107 500 *****
San Diego - Under 6.5 500

St. Louis - 10:15 PM ET St. Louis +109 500 TRIPLE PLAY
San Francisco - Under 7.5 500

Diamond Trends - Wednesday

July 2, 2014


SU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Nationals are 11-0 since August 11, 2013 as a favorite after a win in which they drew 5+ walks and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1100.

PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- When Justin Verlander starts the Tigers are 0-14 since April 07, 2013 as a favorite after more strike outs than hits allowed on the road for a net profit of $2284 when playing against.

MLB BIBLE ACTIVE TREND:

-- The Mets are 7-0 (+$1,330) since May 16, 2013 as a 170+ dog it is the last game of the series.

CHOICE TREND:

-- When John Danks starts the White Sox are 0-10 since June 03, 2007 as a dog after giving up 2 or more home runs on the road for a net profit of $1000 when playing against.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- When Ryan Vogelsong starts the Giants are 10-1 since September 15, 2011 as a dog after his team lost the last time he started for a net profit of $1099.

Wednesday's Tip Sheet

July 2, 2014

Diamondbacks at Pirates – 7:05 PM EST

Probable Pitchers:
ARZ: Anderson (5-3, 3.63 ERA)
PIT: Morton (4-9, 3.41 ERA)

Series recap: The D-backs held a 2-0 lead heading into the ninth inning, but the Pirates rallied for three runs to shock Arizona, 3-2 to cash as -140 favorites. The Pirates are rolling by winning their eighth game in 10 tries, while the D-backs have dropped five of their past seven contests.

What to watch for: Morton is making just his second home start since late May, as he is coming off road defeats to the Rays and Cubs in his past two outings. Anderson tries to get on track after losing each of his last three starts following a 5-0 start to the season. Both these teams are riding major ‘under’ runs of late, as Pittsburgh is 5-1 and Arizona is 5-0 to the ‘under’ during the past week of action.

Cubs at Red Sox – 7:10 PM EST

Probable Pitchers:
CHC: Wood (7-6, 4.52 ERA)
BOS: Workman (1-1, 3.27 ERA)

Series recap: The Cubs have come out on top in consecutive low-scoring victories, winning 2-1 last night as a +155 underdog. Following Jake Arrieta’s near no-hitter on Monday, Edwin Jackson limited the Sox to one run in six innings of work on Tuesday to give the Cubs back-to-back road wins for just the second time this season.

What to watch for: Chicago owns a 3-11 record off a road victory this season, but the Cubs have won each of their last two away series finales at Miami and Philadelphia. The Red Sox have been swept three times at home in 2014, while Boston has hit the ‘under’ in seven straight games at Fenway Park.

Phillies at Marlins – 7:10 PM EST

Probable Pitchers:
PHI: Hamels (2-4, 2.84 ERA)
MIA: Koehler (5-6, 3.70 ERA)

Series recap: The Marlins and Phillies went back-and-forth last night as Miami won in extra innings, 5-4 to cash as -140 favorites. The victory snapped a four-game skid for the Marlins, as Miami improved to 5-6 this season against the Phillies.

What to watch for: Philadelphia is riding a five-game losing streak, but the Phillies are 4-1 in Hamels’ previous five starts. Koehler has failed to win in his last three trips to the mound, including a 5-3 defeat at Philadelphia in extra innings last Thursday. Miami is winless in Koehler’s past four starts at Marlins Park, while going 0-3 in his past three outings against NL East foes.

Mets at Braves – 7:10 PM EST

Probable Pitchers:
NYM: deGrom (1-4, 3.62 ERA)
ATL: Teheran (7-5, 2.34 ERA)

Series recap: The Braves go for the sweep tonight after winning each of the first two games as heavy favorites. Last night, Atlanta held on for a 5-4 triumph as -180 favorites, as each contest in this series has gone ‘over’ the total.

What to watch for: The Mets have dropped six of their past seven games, while compiling a 5-14 mark in the past 19 road contests. The Braves are back on the winning track after getting swept at home by the Phillies earlier this month, posting a 10-3 record the last 13 games, including this current six-game winning streak. Atlanta has won five of eight meetings this season from New York, while the Braves are 6-2 in Teheran’s eight starts at Turner Field.

Angels at White Sox – 8:10 PM EST

Probable Pitchers:
LAA: Skaggs (4-4, 4.34 ERA)
CHW: Danks (7-6, 4.26 ERA)

Series recap: The Angels pulled off a double-header sweep on Tuesday, beating the White Sox 8-4 and 7-5, both as a heavy favorite. In the series opener, the Angels overcame an early 3-0 deficit to pound the Sox, while the Halos led the whole way in the nightcap to improve to 5-0 this season against Chicago.

What to watch for: The Halos are on fire right now, winning nine of their past 11 contests to pull within 3 ½ games of the A’s for first place in the AL West. Los Angeles hasn’t pulled off a road sweep in a three-game series this season, while going 0-5 in its past five away series finales. The Sox have dropped six of their past eight home games, while cashing the ‘over’ in seven straight contests at U.S. Cellular Field.

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

13) Cubs’ pitcher Jake Arrieta is on fire, allowing only four runs in his last 39.1 innings; he’s had a no-hitter broken up in his last two starts in 7th and 8th inning. He better be careful, or the Cubs will trade him away.

12) Last pitcher to shut the Red Sox out was Arrieta’s pitching coach Chris Bosio, who did it in 1993; last time Boston was shut out in Fenway was way back in 1958 by Detroit’s Jim Bunning, who later became a US Senator. Ted Williams made the last out in that game.

11) Major league teams are 36-85 (.298) this year when their pitchers walk more hitters than they strike out.

10) Hanley Ramirez is a free agent after this season; over last four years, he’s played in 92-157-86 and this year 75 of 86 games, which adds up to 71.6% of his team’s games, since 2011. He’s going to be asking for a boatload of money, I’d have a hard time giving it to a guy who missed two out of every seven games.

9) Vikings’ rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater is getting ready for his first NFL season, in part by playing video games. He says the Madden game can help him adjust to the Vikings' offense; I’m not disagreeing, just never heard anyone say that before.

8) LVH Hotel in Las Vegas, formerly Las Vegas Hilton, will now be known as the Westgate, which is a good piece of knowledge for me since I’m staying there for a week in November. Elara Towers behind Planet Hollywood used to be called Westgate Towers; now LVH is called Westgate—those are the two places I stay at the most in Las Vegas. Good thing I don’t confuse easily.

7) Vancouver Canucks signed goalie Ryan Miller to a 3-year, $18M deal, as they head towards a season when they’ll have their third head coach in the last three years- this coach turned down the Penguins to coach in Vancouver.

6) Conference realignment in college sports continues to baffle me: Davidson is now in the A-10, or A-16, not really sure how many teams they’ve got now, but Davidson has an excellent coach and will compete there once their recruiting gets to the A-10 level. Elon jumps from SoCon to the CAA. I may have to write these new teams/conferences down 50 times a day to get them stuck in my head.

5) For some unknown reason (actually, football) the AAC added East Carolina, Tulane and Tulsa starting this season. It hurts their basketball profile, but they need football schools, I guess. AAC is a nicer version of old Conference USA.

4) Will the Southern Conference even be a rotation league anymore? They add VMI, East Tennessee and Mercer, which will help their league, but losing Davidson hurts this league badly.

3) Georgetown lost a key recruit this week when 4-star prospect Noah Dickerson de-committed and opened up his recruitment again.

2) Washington Wizards re-upped bug guy Marcin Gortat for five years, $60M; Wiz made second round of the playoffs this spring for first time since 2005, so its important for them to keep their nucleus together.

1) Keep in mind when thinking about NBA free agency: Lebron James makes a lot more money off the court than he does on it.

MLB
Dunkel

Arizona at Pittsburgh
The Diamondbacks (35-50) try to bounce back from last night's 3-2 loss as they continue their series against a Pirates team that is 2-5 in Charlie Morton's last 7 starts against teams with a losing record. Arizona is the pick (+135) according to Dunkel, which has the Diamondbacks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+135). Here are all of today's MLB picks.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2

Game 951-952: Cincinnati at San Diego (3:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cueto) 13.989; San Diego (Ross) 16.334
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 2 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-145); 6
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+125); Over

Game 953-954: Colorado at Washington (6:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Matzek) 14.487; Washington (Fister) 17.751
Dunkel Line: Washington by 3 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Washington (-225); 8
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-225); Under

Game 955-956: Arizona at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Anderson) 15.848; Pittsburgh (Morton) 14.648
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-155); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+135); Over

Game 957-958: NY Mets at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (deGrom) 14.830; Atlanta (Teheran) 16.174
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-205); 7
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-205); Under

Game 959-960: Philadelphia at Miami (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Hamels) 15.082; Miami (Koehler) 13.174
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 2; 6
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-130); 7
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-130); Under

Game 961-962: St. Louis at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.299; San Francisco (Vogelsong) 16.796
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+125); Over

Game 963-964: Oakland at Detroit (1:08 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Chavez) 16.182; Detroit (Verlander) 17.689
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-135); Under

Game 965-966: Tampa Bay at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Odorizzi) 14.876; NY Yankees (Nuno) 16.334
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+100); Over

Game 967-968: Kansas City at Minnesota (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Vargas) 14.017; Minnesota (Correia) 15.390
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+110); Over

Game 969-970: Seattle at Houston (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Young) 14.848; Houston (Peacock) 13.547
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-115); Under

Game 971-972: Texas at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Mikolas) 14.026; Baltimore (Tillman) 15.548
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-150); Under

Game 973-974: LA Angels at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Skaggs) 14.946; White Sox (Danks) 16.448
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+120); Over

Game 975-976: Milwaukee at Toronto (12:37 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Peralta) 14.893; Toronto (Happ) 16.396
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-115); Under

Game 977-978: Cleveland at LA Dodgers (3:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Bauer) 18.136; LA Dodgers (Ryu) 16.891
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+140); Over

Game 979-980: Chicago Cubs at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Wood) 14.616; Boston (Workman) 15.464
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-155); Under

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, July 2

Reds-Padres
Cueto is 3-0, 2.22 in his last four starts.
Ross is 0-4, 4.36 in his last five starts.

Cincinnati won 13 of its last 19 road games, but lost last two.
Padres won their last three games.

12 of last 15 games at Petco Park stayed under.

Rockies-Nationals
Matzek is 0-2, 4.96 in his last three starts.
Fister is 5-2, 2.38 in his last seven starts.

Colorado lost 13 of its last 15 games.
Nationals won 11 of their last 14 home games.

Over is 14-3-1 in last eighteen Colorado road games.

Arizona-Pirates
Anderson is 0-3, 5.06 in his last three starts.
Morton is 0-2, 6.23 in his last two starts.

Arizona lost six of its last nine road games.
Pirates won eight of their last ten games.

Last five Diamondback games stayed under total.

Mets-Braves
deGrom is 1-0, 1.32 in his last couple starts.
Teheran is 1-1, 2.45 in his last three starts.

Mets lost six of their last seven games.
Atlanta won eight of its last nine games.

Seven of last ten Atlanta games stayed under total.

Phillies-Marlins
Burnett is 2-2, 2.59 in his last four starts.
Miami lost last three Koehler starts (0-1, 3.79).

Philly lost six of its last seven games.
Miami lost nine of its last thirteen games.

Four of last five Miami home games went over total.

Cardinals-Giants
Wainwright is 2-1, 1.16 in his last four starts.
Vogelsong is 1-2, 5.73 in his last four starts.

St Louis lost four of its last five games.
Giants lost 12 of their last 15 home games.

Under is 11-4-1 in last sixteen St Louis road games.

A's-Tigers
Oakland won last three Chavez starts (1-0, 2.50).
Verlander is 0-3, 7.11 in his last five starts.

Oakland won 11 of its last 16 games, but lost last two.
Tigers won seven of their last nine games.

Six of last eight Oakland games went over the total.

Rays-Bronx
Odorizzi is 1-2, 1.44 in his last four starts.
Nuno is 1-2, 7.80 in his last three starts.

Tampa Bay won six of its last seven games.
Bronx lost eight of its last ten games.

Six of last eight Nuno starts stayed under total.

Royals-Twins
Vargas is 3-0, 1.37 in his last four road starts.
Correia is 2-2, 2.63 in his last four starts.

Royals won nine of their last eleven road games.
Minnesota lost six of their last eight games.

Over is 3-1-1 in last five Vargas starts; last four Correia starts stayed under.

Mariners-Astros
Young is 2-0, 1.00 in his last three starts.
Peacock is 2-0, 2.88 in his last six starts.

Seattle won nine of its last eleven games.
Houston lost 11 of its last 15 games.

Six of last eight Peacock starts stayed under.

Rangers-Orioles
Mikolas is making his first MLB start; he has a 3.97 RA in 34 IP in relief, in 27 big league games-- he is 3-1, 4.68 in six AAA starts this season.
Tillman is 2-2, 1.61 in his last four starts.

Rangers lost 11 of their last 13 games.
Baltimore is 9-5 in its last 14 games.

Under is 4-1-1 in last six Tillman starts.

Angels-White Sox
Skaggs was 0-3, 7.00 in his last three starts before going on DL.
Danks is 4-1, 3.66 in his last five starts.

Angels won nine of their last eleven games.
White Sox lost six of their last eight home games.

Nine of last ten White Sox home games went over.

Brewers-Blue Jays
Peralta is 5-0, 4.50 in his last five starts; Brewers scored 36 runs.
Happ is 3-3, 5.55 in his last six starts.

Milwaukee won four of its last six games.
Toronto lost nine of its last fourteen games.

Five of last six Toronto games stayed under.

Indians-Dodgers
Bauer is 1-2, 4.81 in his last four starts.
Ryu is 6-2, 3.22 in his last eight starts.

Cleveland lost seven of its last ten games.
Dodgers won 13 of their last 18 games.

Under is 4-0-1 in last five Ryu starts.

Cubs-Red Sox
Wood is 3-1, 3.20 in his last four starts.
Workman is 1-1, 2.75 in his last three starts.

Cubs won six of their last eight road games.
Red Sox lost eight of their last twelve games.

13 of last 14 games at Fenway Park stayed under.

Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- Cueto 1-17; Ross 5-17
-- Matzek 0-4; Fister 3-10
-- Anderson 1-9; Morton 3-16
-- deGrom 1-9; Teheran 5-17
-- Hamels 2-13; Koehler 2-16
-- Wainwright 3-16; Vogelsong 3-16

-- Chavez 4-16; Verlander 5-17
-- Odorizzi 0-16; Nuno 6-13
-- Vargas 2-17; Correia 4-16
-- Young 2-15; Peacock 4-11
-- Mikolas 0-0; Tillman 7-17
-- Skaggs 6-11; Danks 5-16

-- Peralta 2-16; Happ 1-11
-- Bauer 3-9; Ryu 1-15
-- Wood 3-16; Workman 4-6

Umpires
-- Cin-SD-- Six of seven Everitt games went over the total.
-- Col-Wsh-- Home side won five of last six Drake games.
-- Az-Pitt-- Underdogs won 12 of last 14 Hudson games.
-- NY-Atl-- Seven of last ten Iassogna games stayed under.
-- Phil-Mia-- Over is 8-3-1 in last dozen Cooper games.
-- StL-SF-- Over is 10-3-1 in LBarrett games this season.

-- A's-Det-- 10 of 14 Layne games went over the total.
-- Tex-Blt-- Eight of ten Basner games went over the total.
-- TB-NY-- Underdogs won 12 of 15 Schrieber games this year.
-- KC-Min-- Favorites won six of last seven Kellogg games.
-- Sea-Hst-- Six of last eight Kellogg games stayed under.
-- LA-Chi-- 10 of last 12 BWelke games stayed under.

-- Mil-Tor-- Five of last seven Gibson games went over.
-- Chi-Bos-- Seven of last eleven Meals games went over.
-- Cle-LA-- Seven of last nine Vanover games went over.

MLB

Wednesday, July 2

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Trend Report
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12:37 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Milwaukee

1:05 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. NY YANKEES
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
NY Yankees are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games

1:08 PM
OAKLAND vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Oakland's last 15 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland
Detroit is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games

1:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. MINNESOTA
Kansas City is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing Minnesota
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Minnesota is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Kansas City

2:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. HOUSTON
Seattle is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Seattle's last 23 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
Houston is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games

3:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games
Cleveland is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games at home
LA Dodgers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games

3:40 PM
CINCINNATI vs. SAN DIEGO
Cincinnati is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Cincinnati is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games on the road
San Diego is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego's last 6 games when playing at home against Cincinnati

6:05 PM
COLORADO vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Colorado's last 13 games when playing on the road against Washington
Colorado is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games
Washington is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home

7:05 PM
ARIZONA vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games
Arizona is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 10 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games

7:05 PM
TEXAS vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games when playing Baltimore
Baltimore is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing Texas

7:10 PM
NY METS vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of NY Mets's last 13 games on the road
NY Mets are 8-15 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing NY Mets

7:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. BOSTON
Chi Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing Boston
Boston is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games

7:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. MIAMI
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Miami
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games

8:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
LA Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels's last 7 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games when playing LA Angels
Chi White Sox are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Angels

10:15 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games at home

MLB

Wednesday, July 2


Mets' 3B David Wright, questionable Wednesday

Wright has missed the last five games with a bruised right rotator cuff and is questionable to return on Wednesday against the Braves.


A's LF Yoenis Cespedes, questionable Wednesday

Cespedes left Monday's game with a hamstring injury and did not play Tuesday. He is questionable to return on Wednesday against the Tigers.


Diamondbacks' 1B Mark Trumbo, Mid July

Trumbo was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a stress fracture in his left foot. He has been sent on a rehab assignment and is nearing a return to the majors around the middle of July.