Chris Jordan
My free winner is on the Arizona Diamondbacks, on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers. And in this one I want you listing Braden Shipley only, as he steps to the big-league hill for the first time in his life.
Both teams have lost seven of 10, but the Diamondbacks arrive in Milwaukee after a thrilling 9-8 win over the Cincinnati Reds yesterday, while the Brewers lost 6-5 at home to the Chicago Cubs. I expect the Snakes to carry the momentum into this series, and should be able to back the young right-hander tonight.
So, let's discuss Shipley, who will be recalled to make his Major League debut. The 24-year-old righty has a 3.70 ERA in 119 1/3 innings for Triple-A Reno. He brings a three-pitch mix to the big leagues, as he employs a four-seam fastball, a changeup and a curve. His poise confidence allow him to throw all three anywhere in the lineup.
He is in a great spot outpitch his counterpart, as Chase Anderson has struggled of late. I'm not listing Anderson, because I'm banking on Shipley only, but I can tell you Milwaukee's right-hander is 0-4 with a 9.13 ERA in his past six starts and has completed five innings just one time. He has allowed five home runs in that span, plus 19 walks versus 17 strikeouts over 23 2/3 innings. Opposing hitters have a .337 average.
Great spot to win your debut. Take the Snakes with Shipley
5* DIAMONDBACKS
Scott Delaney
My free winner for tonight is on the Houston Astros over the New York Yankees, as the two open up their three-game series.
I'm not bothering listing the scheduled starters in this one, as I don't even care about who is going since the Astros are winning big right now. They're in on a four-game win streak and have the homefield advantage - big time.
As I've stated in the past, playing in Houston is brutal these days. The summer time is no joke, as Houston is third most humid city in the United States, and that makes for an uncomfortable game for visitors.
Pitchers can't grip the ball, outfielders get winded easily, infielders are dripping with sweat. It's all bad. And you take a team like the Yankees, from the city that isn't used to muggy situations like this, and it can be bad news.
The Astros have won nine of 13, and should have no problem here.
Lay the chalk here.
1* ASTROS
Jeff Benton
Your Monday freebie is the Under in the Yankees-Astros meeting.
Quite simply, the Yankees cannot hit Dallas Keuchel!
Keuchel is 3-1 with a 1.45 ERA for his career against the Yankees, and the southpaw is also back on track for the year with an ERA of just 2.33 over his last 3 starts.
His counterpart Michael Pineda has held opponents to a .181 batting average over his last 5 starts.
Throw in 10 straight New York Unders, and Houston Unders in 3 of their last 4, and we are looking at a pitcher's night at Minute Maid Park tonight.
Yanks-Stros Under.
5* N.Y. YANKEES-HOUSTON UNDER
Gabriel DuPont
Complimentary play, I look to improve on my 89-74 run with free picks: Colorado at BALTIMORE (-1.5, +130).
The STORYLINE in this game today - In a battle for the American League's best record, I told you to take the Baltimore Orioles over the Cleveland Indians when the two wrapped up their series at Camden Yards yesterday. Tonight I'm right back on the Orioles, this time on the Run Line, as I'm simply focusing on the momentum the O's are bringing.
The X-FACTOR in making this choice on this game - While Cleveland brought in one of the best starting staffs in baseball, there's something going on in Baltimore that has the O's back on track. So now when you put the O's up against a staff like the Colorado employs, I think Baltimore could be headed toward a lengthy streak. The key is the momentum the team is riding into this series lid-lifter. The O's have won their last four by a combined final of 19-7.
BOTTOM LINE is - Though pitchers are automatically listed when making Run Line wagers, I am insisting you DO NOT worry about who the scheduled starters are. In the event of a scratch, you MUST re-wager the game with the new pitcher(s) who are scheduled. This play will stand no matter who pitches for either team, as the Orioles are basically neck-and-neck with Boston for the AL East lead, and they're playing with a sense of urgency right now.
1* ORIOLES -1.5
Brad Wilton
My Monday comp play is the Cubs behind Jake Arrieta on the Run Line over the White Sox.
The Cubbies have been able to straighten things out since the break, winning 6 of their first 9 games, and now it is time for Mr. Arrieta to straighten things out for himself.
Arrieta looked to be back in form his last trip to the mound, allowing the Mets just 1 run in his 7 innings of work. He will face a White Sox team that did win a pair of games on Sunday over the Tigers, but has dropped 7 of 10 overall.
Arrieta has not lost to the Pale Hose since joining the Cubs, as he is 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA in his 3 starts against them.
Miguel Gonzalez has pitched well lately, but just doesn't have the results to show for it, as Gonzalez remains stuck at 2-5 for the season with an ERA that is still over 4.
Cubs claim the first in this Windy City rivalry, as they win by at least 2 runs.
3* CUBS -1.5
Rob Veno
New York at Houston
Play: New York +135
Each of these starting pitchers have been throwing well for an extended period now which figures to make it tough on each lineup tonight. The Yankees have struggled far more offensively than Houston has since the All-Star break being held to three runs or less in seven of their 10 games while the Astros have scored four or more in six of their nine. Houston also has been rolling for two months now going 37-16 since May 24 while New York to their credit has faced a tough 10 games to start the second half and come away with a 6-4 mark which keeps them in the AL Wild Card hunt. Shipping closer Aroldis Chapman is far from a waiving of the white flag by the Yankees who still possess one of the best bridge to closer duos in MLB. The matchup of Michael Pineda’s power pitching (56 Ks L 40.1 IP) versus Houston’s strikeout prone lineup (897 is MLB’s 3rd most) favors New York. Pineda has also shown solid control over his last 12 outings walking only 16 batters in the 67.2 inning span. His mound opponent in this one, Dallas Keuchel has a 2.84 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over his last five starts which can’t be ignored but his K/BB numbers during the 31 inning stretch are a pedestrian 23/11. Believe the New York lineup has a greater chance of breaking through in this game and with relievers Betances & Miller getting yesterday off, the late innings bullpen edge goes to them as well. Houston will have prize rookie and #1 ranked MLB prospect Alex Bregman in the lineup batting sixth tonight but facing Pineda is a tough first assignment. Underdog price here is large enough to entice a play on the Yankees who have the ingredients to get the win here.