Brad Wilton
Monday night comp play is the Red Sox and Blue Jays Under the total.
Boston has been in a slump at the plate, as the Red Sox were held to only 4 runs total in their 3 games over the weekend at home against the Orioles.
The Red Sox enter this series at 5-3-1 Under the posted total their last 9 games played, and now they face Marcus Stroman and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Stroman totes in an ERA just over 3 in his last 3 starts, with 2 of those 3 starts holding Under the posted price. For the season, Stroman owns a 2.63 ERA in his home starts, so look for the BoSox to struggle at the dish again tonight.
On the flip side, the Jays should have issues scoring off of Drew Pomeranz who brings in a 1.76 ERA for his last 3 starts, and owns a season ERA of just 3.18.
The Jays have played 3 of their last 4 games Under the posted total, so why not look for another Under to open this A.L. East series on Monday night?
Red Sox-Blue Jays Under.
3* BOSTON-TORONTO UNDER
Eric Schroeder
After hitting the Miami Marlins on Sunday, I'm back on the diamond with tonight's free winner, as I'm on the Toronto Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox, who leave Beantown after being swept home by the Baltimore Orioles and now have the chore of having to play north of the border against a feisty division rival.
I'm sure the Red Sox are still the better team, but the Blue Jays are in the better spot, at home and catching Boston in a lull.
And since the Jays would love to catch Tampa Bay and climb out of the cellar, I think we'll see them steal this series lid-lifter.
4* BLUE JAYS
Otto Sports
Seattle at Baltimore
Play: Over 10
The Orioles remain in the hunt for a Wild Card berth as they enter tonight two games out. They've managed to stick around thanks to a impressive surge that has seen the offense average 5.85 runs per game over their last 28 games (17-11). The team's pitching during that span has also been uncharacteristically adequate with a 3.65 ERA. But tonight's starter, Chris Tillman, didn't have much of a hand in the success. In fact, he was recently sequestered to the bullpen only to allow four runs over 5.1 IP in his last start back on Aug. 20. Tillman's numbers are historically bad and with little to no ability to miss bats, no matchup is favorable. Seattle counters with Marco Gonzalez who has yet to complete five innings in any of this five starts. He's been hammered for seven home runs over 20.2 IP despite a pedigree for inducing ground balls. This will also mark a second turn against the Orioles; the first was a ultra-rough 4.1 IP, 9 hits, 4 ER, 1 K effort two weeks ago. It wouldn't shock me to see neither pitcher make it to the fifth inning in this one as we look over the total.
Bob Balfe
Mariners / Orioles Over 10.5
Chris Tillman has been brutal this year for Baltimore, but he might be able to get a win if the Orioles can get to Gonzalez who has been just as bad in his limited work this year. These pitchers give up a lot of hits and a lot of walks. Even if one of them has a decent game there still should be a lot of runs tonight.
OC Dooley
Athletics / Angels Under 9.5
Due to a pitching matchup that is "not" glossy we have an inflated total for which I am taking advantage. It should be pointed out that Oakland's Daniel Gossett has a much better ERA in NIGHT starts (3.70) as opposed to during the day (6.75). Meanwhile Andrew Heaney of the Angels (just third start since coming back from tommy john surgery) was not all that long ago a "blue chip" prospect. Angels superstar slugger Mike Trout enters tonight in a nasty 0-for-17 slump while veteran Khris Davis of the Athletics in the past 15 games (.182 average with 21 strikeouts) has also struggled. In the past two years (second half of the campaign) Oakland is 15-5 UNDER/ROAD versus an American League opposing offense batting .255 or worse collectively. For whatever the reason when taking the field on a MONDAY this season the Angels have gone a staggering 10-2 UNDER the total with the offense averaging LESS than 3 runs per game in that situation
Doug Upstone
Pirates vs. Cubs
Play: Cubs -157
Given the Cubs schedule lately, they should have opened up a lead in the NL Central. They have failed to do so, but look to be in a good situation to pick up a win tonight since home favorites with a money line of -150 or more, revenging a loss as a home favorite of -150 or more, a marginal winning team (51% to 54%), playing a marginal losing team (46% to 49%), are 56-13, 81.2% the two decades.