JOHN MARTIN
St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 -105
The St. Louis Cardinals had lost seven straight prior to yesterday's 3-2 victory over the Phillies. And now that they're back home, I expect them to win by more than one run today against these awful Phillies who are 21-38 overall, including 9-24 on the road. Carlos Martinez has been great for the Cardinals with a 3.29 ERA in 12 starts and a 2.19 ERA in seven home starts. Nick Pivetta has been rocked for the Phillies, going 1-2 with a 5.18 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in five starts this year. Philly is 0-10 in road games after a game where the bullpen gave up no earned runs this season, losing by 3.5 RPG. St. Louis is 15-2 in its last 17 home games after having lost five or six of its last seven games.
JACK JONES
Blue Jays vs. Mariners
Play: Mariners +105
I won with the Mariners as a dog yesterday and I'll back them as a dog again today as they continue to lack the respect they deserve from oddsmakers. Seattle is 10-2 in its last 12 games overall while scoring at least 5 runs in nine of those games.
Ariel Miranda has been one of the most underrated starters this season. He is 6-2 with a 3.74 ERA and 1.173 WHIP in 12 starts, including 3-1 with a 2.02 ERA and 0.897 WHIP in five home starts. One of those starts came at Toronto on May 14th in which he allowed just one run in 5 innings for a 1.80 ERA.
The Mariners are 20-11 at home this season, while the Blue Jays are just 12-18 on the road. The Blue Jays are 2-10 in their last 12 games vs. a left-handed starter. Seattle is 7-2 in Miranda's last nine home starts.
DAVE PRICE
A's/Rays Under 8 Game 2
Two dominant starting pitchers in Sean Manaea and Matt Andriese should have their ways with suspect lineups in Game 2 of this double-header between the A's and Rays Saturday. Manaea is 5-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 10 starts this year, including 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his last 3 outings. Matt Andriese is 5-1 with a 3.45 ERA in 11 starts this year, including 4-0 with a 3.35 ERA in 7 home starts. Andriese pitched a complete game shutout in a 6-0 win over the A's last year in his lone lifetime start against them. Manaea pitched 8 shouting innings in a 1-0 win over the Rays last year in his lone lifetime start against them.
LARRY WALLACE
Marlins vs. Pirates
Play: Marlins -111
Marlins are averaging 7.1 RPG in their last 10 wins, after winning 12-7 at Pittsburgh last night. Pirates starters Gerrit Cole and Tyler Glasnow combining to allow 14 runs (13 earned) in just in 8 2/3 innings over the first two games of the series, which has forced the bullpen to pitch more than nine innings these last two days. Straily has a nice run going, having allowed three or fewer ERs in each of his last six outings and owns 69 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings in 2017. He's made 10 previous appearances against Pittsburgh (seven starts), going 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA (teams are 4-3 in his starts). Marlins 2B Dee Gordon is 6-for-16 with five runs scored in the last three games. Miami LF Marcell Ozuna recorded multiple hits in nine of his last 14 games.
Alex Smart
Blue Jays at Mariners
Play: Mariners +106
We have two pitchers who are in very good form going head to head today, but I'm betting on the home team here (Seattle) in this spot play. Miranda the Mariners LH starter has won three straight starts and five consecutive decisions while limiting hitters to a .219 BA average this season. With the Jays struggling against southpaws this season , as is evident by a 3.6 rpg average and a .226 BA we have value taking the Mariners.The Mariners are 7-2 during an 11-game homestand and have averaged 7.9 runs in the seven wins, and look in good shape to grab a 2nd straight win in this series today. Blue Jays are 4-10 in Stromans last 14 starts on a natural surface.Mariners are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. American League East.Mariners are 7-1 in their last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter.Mariners are 4-0 in Mirandas last 4 starts with 5 days of rest.Blue Jays are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings in Seattle.
OC Dooley
Cubs -140
At most locations Chicago opened as ONLY a favorite of (-120) but due to the release of LINEUP information the figure has swung "against" visiting Colorado even though they have the best road record in the majors (23-10) and have won 6 consecutive outings. Being "rested" by the Rockies today are regulars Carlos Gonzalez (replaced by unknown Rameil Tapia) and Trevor Story (replaced by Alexi Amarista). Sticking with LINEUP news Cubs starting shortstop Addison Russell (domestic violence investigaiton) is back in the rotation today batting #8. The opening total for today's game (13 runs) indicates the winds are blowing OUT at Wrigley. In the past one-plus seasons after batting .200 or worse in a three-game span the Cubs (35-15) do have a winning record and they should break loose today