Saturday 7/20/19 thread for free handicapping service plays and expert predictions for MLB, CFL & WNBA games.
Ricky Tran
Jul 20 '19, 4:00 PM in 1d
CFL | Edmonton vs Montreal
Play on: Edmonton -4½ -105 at 5dimes
Ricky’s 1* Free Play on the Edmonton Eskimos.
Montreal comes in having won back-to-back games, getting big efforts from BJ Cunningham, Vernon Adams Jr. and William Stanback. But the young Als now run into their stiffest defensive test yet. Edmonton was dominant in its Week 5 win over BC, going on to finish with five sacks, two fumble recoveries and an INT.
Key Trends:
- Edmonton is now 9-5 ATS in its last 14 as a favorite (dating to last year.)
- Montreal is a poor 3-6 ATS in its last nine as a home underdog of seven points or less.
- The Als are a brutal 5-12 ATS in their last 17 when playing with six or less days rest.
The verdict: BC star QB Mike Reilly looked impotent vs. this tough Eskimos’ secondary and I have a hard time seeing the Als’ producing offensively either. I think Montreal finally takes a step back this week!
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Tim Michael
Jul 20 '19, 7:00 PM in 1d
CFL | BC vs Saskatchewan
Play on: Saskatchewan -4½ -110 at BetOnline
T.M. Selection: Saskatchewan Roughriders (1* FREE PLAY)
BC is ripe for the picking after its pathetic performance vs. Edmonton last week. The Lions went out and signed the biggest free agent available in play-making QB Mike Reilly in the off-season, who likely doesn’t have the supporting cast around him yet to make much of an impact. Last week Reilly was sacked five times, while also tossing a pick. Many in Saskatchewan thought their season was over when starting QB Zach Collaros went down with injury, but backup Cody Fajardo has so far filled in seamlessly and off their bye-week, the Riders look poised for another big weekend in my opinion. Consider the home side in this one.
T.M. Prediction: 31-20 Saskatchewan.
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Marc Lawrence
Jul 20 '19, 2:20 PM in 14h
MLB | Padres vs Cubs
Play on: Cubs -118 at 5dimes
Play - Chicago Cubs w/Quintana vs Lucchesi (Game 902).
Edges - Cubs: Quintana 5-0 last five team-start versus San Diego, and 15-3 team-starts in July, including 7-0 at home … Padres: Lucchesi 5.79 ERA away as opposed to 2.83 ERA at home this season. With that, we recommend a 1* play ion the Cubs. Thank you and good luck as always.
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Mark Wilson
Jul 20 '19, 9:10 PM in 21h
MLB | Marlins vs Dodgers
Play on: Dodgers -290 at 5dimes
Free Play on Dodgers -290
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Mike Wynn
Free Play: San Diego w/Lucchesi +110 Over Chicago Cubs
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Razor Sharp
YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR SATURDAY:WASHINGTON/ATLANTA UNDER the total of 10½ runs
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Totals4U
Saturday's Free Selection: Kansas City Royals/Cleveland Indians over 10 1/2
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#1 Sports
Saturday's Free Selection: Tampa Bay Rays
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Platinum Plays
Free Pick: the Kansas City Royals w/Junis +150 over Cleveland
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Nevada Sharpshooter
Your free winner for Saturday : Take PHILADELPHIA/PITTSBURGH OVER the total of 11 runs
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Golden Dragon
FREE WINNER for Saturday
Miami/LA Dodgers under 8
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Hawkeye Sports
Saturday's Free Pick: Saskatchewan Roughriders - 4 1/2 (CFL)
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Huddle Up Sports
Free Play: Arizona Greinke -133
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Arthur Ralph
SAT: INDIANS w/Plutko-165
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Vegas Steam Line
Your free winner for Saturday: Take KANSAS CITY/CLEVELAND OVER the total of 10½ runs
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High Stakes Syndicate
Free Selection for Saturday: Kansas City Royals + 150
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MIKE LUNDIN
MLB | Jul 20, 2019
Brewers vs. Diamondbacks
UNDER 9 -110
The Milwaukee Brewers and the Arizona Diamondbacks combined for 17 runs Friday night. I expect runs to be harder to come by for both sides here in Game 3 of the series on Saturday.
Milwaukee hands the ball to left-hander Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 3.19 ERA) for his first start since landing on the injured list on June 1 due to arm fatigue. Each of Gonzalez's six starts this season have gone under the total and he owns a solid 2.93 ERA in eight career starts versus the D'Backs.
The Brewers turn to Zack Greinke (10-4, 2.95 ERA) who gave up five runs at St. Louis last time out, but he had held both Colorado and San Francisco scoreless over a combined 14 innings prior to that. Greinke owns a mediocre 4.07 ERA in eight career outings (seven starts) against the Brew Crew, but he has their current roster limited to a .221 AVG over 122 at-bats.
Under is 5-2 in Greinke's last 7 starts overall. Under is 5-1 in Diamondbacks' last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
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FRANK SAWYER
CFL | Jul 20, 2019
Edmonton vs. Montreal
Montreal+6
Take the Montreal Alouettes plus the points versus the Edmonton Eskimos. Montreal (2-2) has pulled off two straight upset wins after they shocked Ottawa on the road last Saturday by a 36-19 score despite being a 9-point underdog in that game. The Alouettes have covered the point spread in 6 of their last 7 games after a point spread win. Montreal has also covered the point spread in 4 straight games at home. Edmonton (3-1) comes off a 33-6 win at British Columbia last Thursday as a 3-point favorite. But the Eskimos have a tough assignment staying on the road for a third straight week — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games on the road. Edmonton has also failed to cover the point spread in 13 of their last 18 games when laying 3.5 to 9.5 points. Take Montreal plus the points. Best of luck — Frank.
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STEVE JANUS
MLB | Jul 20, 2019
Royals vs. Indians
1* Free Sharp Play on Royals +152
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HUNTER PRICE
Tennis | Jul 20, 2019
Martina Di Giuseppe vs. E Rybakina
1* Free Pick on E Rybakina -270
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BIG AL
Our complimentary selection for Saturday, July 20 is:
Pittsburgh (Musgrove) over Philadelphia (Eflin).
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DWAYNE CONNORS
Saturday comp play goes out on the Mets and Giants to hold Under the total.
After breaking the scoreboard in their 4 straight wins at Coors Field - 40 runs plated! - the Giants have come back home for this weekend series against the Mets and have continued winning thanks to their stingy pitching - only 2 runs allowed, and only 4 runs scored.
Both meetings this weekend with the Mets have needed extra-innings to complete, and both have landed Under the total.
With those 2 Unders, the series numbers between these teams now stands at 6-2-1 Under the total for their last 9 meetings.
For New York the Under is 4-2 their last 6 games, while for San Francisco the Under stands at 4-1 their last 5 games played.
Walker Lockett's over 11 ERA for his last 3 starts does give pause, but with Jeff Samardzija sporting an ERA under 2 for his last 3 starts, I think it's safe to play one more game by the bay Under the total.
Mets-Giants Low.
3* N.Y. METS-SAN FRANCISCO UNDER
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BOBBY CONN
MLB | Jul 20, 2019
Red Sox vs. Orioles
1* Free Play on Red Sox -201
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CAPPERS ACCESS
Blue Jays
Pirates
D'Backs
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BOB VALENTINO
Saturday's comp play goes out on the Rays to end their losing skid with a home win over the White Sox.
It has not been pretty for Tampa Bay since coming out of the All-Star Break, as Tampa has dropped their last 4 after losing last night's series opener to Chicago by a 9-2 score. The Rays were looking to make up some ground on division-leader New York earlier this week and actually took the series opener on Monday, but then promptly dropped the next 3 before yesterday's setback that I just mentioned.
Expect Tampa Bay to get healthy tonight, as Chicago's win last night snapped a streak of 7 straight losses since the Break.
The Rays had won the 3 previous series meetings this year over the ChiSox, and they had done so by outscoring Chicago 24-7.
Things have turned a bit south for All-Star pitcher Lucas Giolito who enters today's start with just a 1-3 with a 6.48 ERA over his last 5 starts.
The Rays will go with Ryan Yarbrough who is making just his 5th start this season, but does have nearly 70 innings of work under his belt thanks to being the long man out of the bullpen. He has only allowed 3 runs to score over his last 5 appearances which have totaled over 21 innings pitched.
Tampa ends their skid at 4 with the win here at home on Saturday.
2* TAMPA BAY
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CHRIS JORDAN
My free winner for Saturday is on the Baltimore Orioles against the Boston Red Sox, and I want you listing the scheduled starting pitchers: Rick Porcello and Tom Eshelman.
After seeing what the Orioles did offensively on Friday night, I have confidence we're going to see their young right-handed control pitcher throw with plenty of confidence tonight.
Eshelman did enough in his first two Major League outings to entice the Orioles to throw him to the wolves in this start, against the defending World Series champs. The 25-year-old got in his groove his last time out, and was able find his strikeout pitch after striking out none in his debut. Eshelman whiffed seven Rays over five-plus innings.
What's strange is even though he didn't strike out any Rays in Tampa in his debut, it was a much better showing overall, than his second start against them in Baltimore. Eshelman allowed just two runs on six hits over five innings on July 1.
Back at home for his third start, I'm taking a chance with him and the big price against the Sox tonight.
4* ORIOLES (listing Eshelman over Porcello)
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Roz Wins
Roz's SATURDAY, July 20, 2019 Free Pick
(917) TORONTO BLUE JAYS (T THORNTON - R) VS (918) DETROIT TIGERS (D NORRIS - L)
Take : Blue Jays
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Sharp Bettor
SharpBettor FREE Play Saturday, July 20, 2019
(903) NEW YORK METS (W LOCKETT - R - ) VS (904) SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (J SAMARDZIJA - R)
Take : Giants
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Atlantic Sports
Saturday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Texas + 175
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Teyas Sports
FREE PICK 7/20 PHILADELPHIA +122
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The Last Call
Satuurday's Free Play: White Sox + 142
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KENNY WALKER
MLB | Jul 20, 2019
Blue Jays vs. Tigers
Blue Jays-114
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JIMMY BOYD
MLB | Jul 20, 2019
Mets vs. Giants
1* Free MLB Pick on San Francisco Giants -127
Hard to not roll the dice here with San Francisco. The Giants come into this one having won 7 straight. that includes two thrilling wins to start this 4-game series. SF won 3-2 in 16 innings on Thursday and then won 1-0 in 10 innings on Friday.
I think this is a tough spot for the Mets, as the more they lose the more the trade talks heat up with some of their big name players. It doesn't help that New York is turning to Walker Lockett for his first start since June 25th and just the third of the season. In his first two starts, he's allowed 10 runs on 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Giants will turn to Jeff Samardzija, who is having a solid season. He's 7-7 with a 3.93 ERA and 1.177 WHIP in 19 starts. He's got a 3.31 ERA in 9 home starts and is 3-0 with a 1.66 ERA and 0.738 WHIP in his last 3 starts. Take San Francisco!
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Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Saturday, July 20, 2019
MLB (907) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS VS (908) CINCINNATI REDS
Take: (908) CINCINNATI REDS
BRANDON LEE
MLB | Jul 20, 2019
Brewers vs. Diamondbacks
10* FREE MLB PICK (Diamondbacks -136)
I'll take my chances here with Arizona all day long with Zack Greinke on the mound. It doesn't matter what team he's been on, Greinke always seems to take his game to the next level in front of the home fans. Diamondbacks are 7-2 in his 9 home starts this season and he's got a 2.95 ERA and 0.945 WHIP in 20 starts this season. Not to mention the Arizona offense is coming off another huge night at the plate, scoring 10 runs. The third time in their last 4 that they have scored 9 or more runs. Arizona is also averaging 5.9 runs/game vs left-handed starters this season. I look for them to get to Gio Gonzalez and cruise to a win here. Give me the Diamondbacks -136!
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LARRY NESS
MLB | Jul 20, 2019
Nationals vs. Braves
Braves-157
My free play is on the Atl Braves at 7:20 ET. Atlanta CF Ronald Acuna Jr. extended his on-base streak to 25 games with a three-hit performance on Friday, as the Braves snapped a five-game home losing streak to the Nationals thanks to Josh Donaldson’s walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth that plated Acuna, who opened the inning with a lead-off walk. Atlanta improved to 41-20 since Acuna was moved to the leadoff spot in the Braves lineup on May 10. The Braves play the third contest of this four-game series with the Nationals at 59-40, giving them a 6 1/2 game lead on Washington in the NL East (7 1/2 over Philly). However, the 51-45 Nationals are proving to be "hard to shake," going 32-14 since May 24 to stay within striking distance of Atlanta, as well as climbing to the top of the crowded NL wild card field. Anibal Sanchez (5-6, 3.71 ERA) will take the mound for the Nats, opposed by the Braves' Mike Soroka (10-1, 2.24 ERA). Sanchez was a pleasant surprise last season after signing with Atlanta during spring training, going 7-6 with a 2.83 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. However, after signing a two-year deal in the off-season with Washington. Sanchez opened 0-6 with a 5.10 ERA through nine starts (team was 3-6). Sanchez suffered a left hamstring strain in May that cost him 10 days on the injured list and he one missed start. However, since he's returned to the rotation the veteran has pitched to a 2.47 ERA with a .212 opponents' batting average over eight starts (he's 5-0 and the team 6-2).. Soroka continues to put together a remarkable first full big-league season, ranking second in the majors in ERA while winning 10 consecutive decisions since losing his first start of 2019, 4-1 back on April 18. He's 10-0 in his last 15 starts (Atlanta is 13-2), after beginning the second half with seven shutout innings Sunday at San Diego in a 4-1 win. Soroka's "slash line" is .221/.279/.282. I guess the rookie HAS to 'cool off' some time, but when? I'm not willing to 'guess,' so I'll back Atlanta against Sanchez, who is 6-11 with a 4.78 ERA in 20 career starts vs the Braves (teams are 6-14). Good luck...Larry
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COLE FAXON
MLB | Jul 20, 2019
White Sox vs. Rays
FREE PLAY on White Sox/Rays under 8½ -120
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Tommy King Wins
MLB MINNESOTA TWINS ‑140
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JACK BRAYMAN
My complimentary winner for Saturday night is on the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Philadelphia Phillies in a Keystone State battle.
Be sure you're listing Joe Musgrove over Zach Eflin in this one, as it's about the pitchers.
Musgrove steps to the rubber after an odd outing that saw him work a mere 4 2/3 innings on 104 pitches. The Cardinals may or may not have set a season-high mark with foul balls, as they battled throughout extended counts. Nonetheles, the right-hander has put together a 3.89 ERA with 39 strikeouts and seven walks in eight starts since the beginning of June, and he'll be at his best tonight in this in-state rivalry.
Meanwhile, look for the Bucs' offense to come alive against Eflin, who is 2-6 with a 5.73 ERA in his last 10 starts. The right-hander has been a bit of a disappointment for the Phils, as he's allowed six or more runs in three of his last four starts. He just got knocked around in a six-run fourth inning against the Dodgers on Monday, and now he's back on the road against a feisty lineup.
Take Pittsburgh here.
5* PIRATES (Musgrove over Eflin)
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TONY WESTON
My free play for tonight is on the Oakland Athletics plus the money in Minneapolis against the Minnesota Twins. And be sure you're listing Brett Anderson over Jose Berrios.
If there is one guy who has been consistent and helped keep the Athletics relevant in the American League West hunt, it's Anderson.
The strong-armed left-hander has pitched at least into the sixth inning in 12 of his past 13 starts, and rolls into this matchup with a 3-3 mark and 3.83 ERA in nine games (seven starts) against the Twins.
Berrios comes into this one after not having his best command with offspeed offerings in Sunday's series finale against the Cleveland Indians, when he matched his second-shortest start of the season.
The right-hander, who is 8-5 with a 3.10 ERA but is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA this month, lasted just five innings and allowed three earned runs for the second consecutive outing.
I'll take my chances with the better-performing pitcher and the scrappy Athletics, who are a value at this price.
2* ATHLETICS (Anderson over Berrios)
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Bob Harvey Sports
#919/0 Bo Red Sox/Balt.O's Over
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Richard Saber
#915 Chicago White Sox
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Ched Whitney
#902 Chicago Cubs
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Alan Berg
#907 St.Louis Cardinals
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Andy Iskoe
W.Ramirez
#921 Oakland A's
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MIKE WILLIAMS
MLB | Jul 20, 2019
Royals vs. Indians
1* on Indians -162
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Lasvegasmoneymachine
MLB OAKLAND ATHLETICS +125
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Monster Sports Picks
MLB OAKLAND ATHLETICS +125
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Tys Terrific Tips
MLB SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS ‑140
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KEVIN DOLAN
Event: (24821) Oscar Rivas at (24822) D. Whyte
Sport/League: BOX
Date/Time: July 20, 2019 5PM EDT
Play: D. Whyte -430
Big price on Dillian Whyte this weekend to beat Colombian Oscar Rivas, but justified, as the Bodysnatcher should have too much firepower and ring experience for the much smaller Rivas in this fight on Saturday night in London.
A lot has been made of Rivas' amateur pedigree leading up to this fight, including very good wins over Kubrat Pulev and current unified Heavyweight Champion of the World Andy Ruiz Jr, but this is the professional ranks and Oscar Rivas' journey through the pro's hasn't been as easy a transition as some were hoping for when he turned pro almost a decade ago. While on paper Rivas' 18 KO's in 26 fights looks impressive at first glance, those wins hold little weight under scrutiny as its fair to say his best wins over his first 25 fights were against journeymen Joey Abell and the number one heavyweight in Belgium, Herve Hubeaux. Hardly a murderers row of heavyweight talent.
His last fight, and the one with most name recognition for boxing fans, was against former world title challenger Bryant Jennings in a fight Jennings was arguably winning before being stopped by a flurry of punches in the 12th round (Jennings was down officially on two of the judges scorecards at the time of the stoppage but was outlanding Rivas consistently over the course of the fight.)
Unless we see a massive improvement from the 32 year old Rivas in this fight from that one, Whyte will be a huge step-up for Rivas talent wise and power wise and likely will be a bridge too far for the challenger.
Whyte has fought consistently high championship level opponents over his last 10 fights, including wins over Joseph Parker, Dereck Chisora (x2), Dave Allen, Lucas Browne and a loss against former heavyweight knigpin Anthony Joshua in a fight he rocked Joshua early in.
And the big difference for us has been the eye test over that period as Whyte has steadily improved under the stewardship of Mark Tibbs, as he's lost the excess weight over that time and has utilized a much more devastating jab since his early days with a better inside game also.
Marc Ramsey arguably hasn't got the same production out of Rivas as Tibbs has from Whyte. His lackluster performance against a fairly washed up Bryant Jennings back in January, despite the late stoppage, is testament to the fact Rivas has improved little over the last few years, often content to do just enough to get a decision in most of his most recent fights.
The O2 Arena in London will be pumping on Saturday night for the hometown fighter who grew up in Brixton via Jamaica. A fight against the winner of Fury/Wilder II has all but been promised to Whyte provided he comes through this test on Saturday, so expect a fully focused Bodysnatcher to show up on Saturday and take care of business against a much smaller Oscar Rivas who will find it tough on the inside against such an imposing fighter such as Whyte.
Take Whyte as your free play for Saturday.
PLAY: DILLIAN WHYTE ML -430
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CAL SPORTS
Event: (907) St. Louis Cardinals at (908) Cincinnati Reds
Sport/League: MLB
Date/Time: July 20, 2019 7PM EDT
Play: Cincinnati Reds -130
#908 Cincinnati -130 St Louis (Castillo & Mikolas) 7:10 PM
Luis Castillo has been dominant at home with a 1.83 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. Castillo has faced the Cards 3 times this season pitching 178 innings while allowing a TOTAL of 2 runs on 8 hits with a 24 K’s. Mile Mikolas continues with an incredible home/road dichotomy. Mikolas at home has a 2.15 ERA and 0.96 WHIP but on the road the has posted a 7.40 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. The Reds have dropped 4 straight but they are still hitting .313 the last 10 days compared to the Cardinals at .245.
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SPORTS DATA QUERY GROUP
Event: (911) Milwaukee Brewers at (912) Arizona Diamondbacks
Sport/League: MLB
Date/Time: July 20, 2019 8PM EDT
Play: Arizona Diamondbacks -139
This is a spot in which Greinke has been very tough. The Diamondbacks are 8-0 SU with Zack Greinke when their bullpen gave up 3+ runs yesterday and they lost in his last start. In these eight starts, Greinke has a WHIP of 0.94 and has allowed an average of 1.50 runs in an average of 6.42 innings.
Also, the D-Backs are 8-0 SU as a favorite off a game as a dog in which they used five-plus pitchers.
Milwaukee is 0-5 SU recently off a road game in which they allowed six-plus runs, a gutless 0-6 SU as a road dog when seeking immediate revenge for a loss as a favorite in which they held the lead, and 0-10 SU as a dog after a game as a road favorite in which their bullpen allowed multiple runs, as long as they did not win by five-plus runs.
The value is with the Snakes.
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1. NSA(The Legend) MLB – Tigers +105
2. Gameday Network MLB – Red Sox -1.5
3. VegasSI.com MLB – Astros -185
4. Vegas Line Crushers MLB – Braves -160
5. Sports Action 365 MLB – Phillies +120
6. Point Spread Report MLB – Mets under 9
7. Lou Panelli MLB – Yankees -1.5
8. Gerry “Big Cat” Andino MLB – Dodgers -1.5
9. VegasSI.com Platinum Info Club MLB – Indians -160
10. William E. Stockton MLB – Red Sox -1.5
11. Vincent Pioli MLB – Cubs -140
12. Steve “Scoop” Kendall MLB – Cardinals +120
13. SCORE MLB – Braves under 10
14. East Coast Line Movers MLB – Rays over 8.5
15. Tony Campone MLB – Yankees -1.5
16. Chicago Sports Group MLB – Astros -185
17. Hollywood Sportsline MLB – Twins -135
18. VIP Action MLB – Red Sox -1.5
19. South Beach Sports MLB – Diamondbacks -135
20. Las Vegas Sports Commission MLB – Tigers +105
21. NY Players Club MLB – Astros -185
22. Fred Callahan MLB – Padres under 11.5
23. Las Vegas Private CEO Club MLB – Braves -160
24. Michigan Sports MLB – Yankees -1.5
25. National Consensus Report MLB – Athletics over 10
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Elite Sports Picks
MLB Twins under 10
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