Jesse Schule
Boston at Baltimore
Pick: Under
The Orioles have taken the first two games of the is home series versus Boston by a combined score of 10-7. Game 2 was a pitcher's duel, and I expect another low scoring game tonight. David Price will toe the rubber for the Red Sox, making just his second start of the season. He threw just 88 pitches, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks in five innings in a loss to Chicago his last time out. He's owned he Orioles over the years, and he was 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts in Baltimore last year. The Orioles hand the ball to Dylan Bundy, and he's been their best pitcher this season. Bundy (6-3, 2.89 ERA) allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings in a home win over the Yankees his last time out. He's 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA in six home starts in 2017. He's 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox. The under is 12-3-2 in the last 17 meetings between these two teams.
MMA Profitcy
Viviane Pereira vs Jamie Moyle
Pick: Viviane Pereira
Viviane Pereira is your free play for UFC 212. Currently sitting at -147, she is an absolute steal. She has very sharp technique and quick hands that will be extremely hard for Moyle to deal with. Moyle is the less experienced fighter, fighting on Pereira's home turf. International fighters beat United States fighters at a 62% rate, and my software simulations give Pereira a much better chance than that.
Chris Jordan
We have an interesting weekend set in San Diego, as the National League West-leading Colorado Rockies are in town to visit the last-place Padres. Last night my free play was on the Padres, and tonight I'm back with the Friars.
San Diego has won four straight games - the first time they've strung together this many in two years - not to mention eight of their last 11.
The Padres and Rockies came into this series having split their first six games of the season, and we saw there was enough confidence on San Diego's part, to pull off a win in the series-opener. Now the Pads seal the series win with a victory tonight.
I'm taking a shot with this comp winner, as the Pads get it done over Colorado.
3* PADRES
Jack Brayman
Let's make some money with the Cincinnati Reds, as they're my free play against the Atlanta Braves.
Cincinnati will take advantage of a defeated Braves team that has lost three straight after watching their 2-0, ninth-leading lead dissolve into a 3-2, 10th-inning loss in last night's series opener.
The Braves are now seven games into a nine-game road trip, and will be playing their 22nd game in 23 nights. That's a long haul, considering that string of games has included trips to South Beach, Toronto, back home to Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles and now Cincy.
Atlanta is a tired team, and it will show in this one.
Play the Reds.
5* REDS
Brad Wilton
It's been a long road trip for the Braves, and they have had issues finding offense in games played in Anaheim and San Francisco, but today at the Great American "Small-Park", I look for RA Dickey and Scott Feldman to serve them up as the Braves and Reds land Over the total.
Last night we saw 5 combined runs for an Under, but Atlanta is still 3-2-1 Over the total their last 6 on this road trip.
Dickey's ERA is close to 6 for his last 3 starts, and the Over is 2-0-1. For the season, the Over is 6-3-2 when the knuckleballer climbs the mound.
Feldman sports an ERA of 6.59 for his last 3 efforts, and the Over has cashed in 2 of those 3 starts.
I get the feeling the ball will be careening all over the diamond this Saturday late afternoon.
Play the Braves and Reds Over the total.
2* ATLANTA-CINCINNATI OVER
Jeff Benton
Houston-Texas, McCullers and Cashner. Those 4 names are all I need to go in on an Under at Arlington this Saturday night!
Both teams have been knocking the snot out of the baseball this past week, but Lance McCullers and Andrew Cashner will change all of that tonight.
McCullers has a 2.48 season ERA, and has allowed a grand total of 4 earned runs to score over his last 36-plus innings pitched! The Under stands at 5-1 his last 6 starts, and for the season the Under is 7-4 in his 11 starts.
Andrew Cashner is just 2-4 this season, but his ERA of 2.92 suggests he hasn't gotten the support he deserves. Cashner has made 9 starts this year, and the Under has gotten the money in 7 of those 9 assignments this season.
The weekend opened with an Over last night with Keuchel and Darvish getting the starting nod, look for the pitching to dominate the hitting here on Saturday night.
Houston-Texas to hold Low.
2* HOUSTON-TEXAS UNDER
Eric Schroeder
My free play for Saturday is on the Detroit Tigers, over the Chicago White Sox. And I want you listing Jordan Zimmerman over Miguel Gonzalez, as there is a revenge theory to consider.
Less than a week ago, on Sunday, Zimmermann allowed three home runs to the White Sox. It was his third three-homer outing in 10 starts this year, and he'll be looking to avenge that brutal outing. The right-hander has been pinged for 16 homers in 55.2 innings, two more than he allowed over 105.1 innings last season. This is a start he'll be looking to prove himself.
With Gonzalez, he took a perfect game into the seventh inning against the Sox on Sunday, but lost it after 18 outs. He ended up allowing three earned runs in 7.2 innings, continuing an eight-game streak of going at least five innings. The Tigers hitters will want to jump on him early and often.
My money is on the Tigers getting it done against Chicago, and I want you listing both starters.
2* TIGERS
JOHN MARTIN
Red Sox vs. Orioles
Play: Red Sox -114
David Price is finally back healthy and ready to help the Boston Red Sox make their AL East push to the top. They have one of the best lineups in baseball, but their pitching has been sub-par thus far. Price should flourish against a team he has dominated in the AL East throughout his career. Price is 11-6 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 25 starts against the Orioles. Dylan Bundy is 3-3 with a 4.63 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in six starts against the Red Sox. After losing the first two games of this series, look for the Red Sox to get a much-needed win behind Price in Game 3 tonight.
BRAD DIAMOND
Astros vs. Rangers
Play: Astros -160
The ragging Astros (39-16) come in winners of 9-of-the-last-10 games. Home standing Rangers (26-29) play with a recent 2-8 record. When facing division opponents the Astros are 18-6 this season, while the Rangers post a losing 11-15 mark. In the series Houston is 5-1 L6 meetings. Throwing for Houston is RHP McCullers who comes in off a so-so outing in Baltimore but, we note the hurler went through May with a nifty 4-0 record and a 0.99 ERA supporting. Overall, he brings a 6-1 record, 2.48 ERA and a corresponding WHIP of 1.056. Texas uses the talents of RHP Cashner who’s record is 2-4 with a nice 2.92 ERA (1.357 WHIP). He shows off a 3-1 win at Toronto last week. His prior start the Red Sox defeated the hurler 11-6. Finally, the Astros figure 4-0 behind McCullers with a 8-1 record against losing editions and a super 6-1 edge in game #2 of a series. Have great respect for Texas, however, Houston is red hot and ranks #3 in runs scored (5.44) this season.
RAY MONOHAN
Indians vs. Royals
Play: Over 8½
The Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals face off on Saturday and the over has a ton of value. On the mound for the Royals is Jason Hammel and he has been really generous this year with giving out runs this year. He comes into this game with a 1-6 record and an ERA of 6.18. In his last four starts he has given up 18 runs. He has no command and it's a little surprising the Royals keep running him out.
I would expect the Indians bats, which are starting to heat up to be all over him early and really run up the score. Some trends to note. Over is 4-1 in Hickoxs last 5 games behind home plate. Over is 6-2 in Royals last 8 vs. American League Central. This game is going to be a shootout.
CAPPERS CLUB
Tampa Bay at Seattle
Play: Seattle -103
The Mariners are worthy of a small move here. Seattle continues to play well at home, going 15-10 after their win on Friday night. The Mariners have seen their offense turn things around after injuries killed them for a few weeks. They are averaging well above 5 runs per home game and have the lineup top to bottom hitting.
Some trends to note. Mariners are 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter, are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record, and are 5-1 in their last 6 overall. The Rays are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Seattle.This is a dangerous team when their offense is clicking. Combine that with the fill in rotation guys stepping things up and this is a nice value on them.
CHIP CHIRIMBES
Diamondbacks vs. Marlins
Play: Marlins -113
The Marlins has managed to win six of their last eight raising their home record to 12-16 in the process. The warming up of the Marlins bats should help Edinson Volquez (1-7, 4.44 ERA) who has had virtually no run support (2.3 per start) and posted his first win of the season on Monday a 4-1 win over Philadelphia. Volquez has lost eight in-a-row before his first win and is 2-2 with a 3.94 ERA against Arizona in 10 appearances. The Marlins have it 15 homers during this home stand and will scored enough to win here.
TEDDY DAVIS
Yankees vs. Blue Jays
Play: Blue Jays -137
The Blue Jays are quietly one of the hottest teams in the league right now. They are 8-2 overall their last 10 games.
Joe Biagini has been a very nice surprise for the Blue Jays especially at home. He owns a 1.64 ERA at home in 2 games and is coming off a very solid performance against the Rangers going 6 innings and only giving up 2 runs.
Montgomery is now starting to cool off a little bit after a hot start. He was torched his last outing on the road at Baltimore and now face the hot Blue Jay bats. I believe he is in for a long day here
CHASE DIAMOND
Pittsburgh at New York
Play: Pittsburgh +121
This will probably be Gsellman's last start as Steven Matz is set to return to the Mets rotation. Tyler Glasnow has been slowly getting better this 23 year old has great stuff but has not been able to control his pitches very well. Mets have dropped 3 straight and their bullpen is a mess, take the Pirates.
JACK JONES
Washington at Oakland
Play: Washington -112
The Washington Nationals are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now. They have gone 9-2 in their last 11 games overall to improve to 34-19 on the season. They just hung a 13-spot on the A's in Game 1 of this series yesterday.
Now the Nationals should feast on Daniel Mengden, who has been awful in his limited time in the big leagues. He is 2-10 with a 6.81 ERA and 1.646 WHIP in 15 career starts. Mengden gave up 5 runs and 3 homers over 3 1/3 innings in his first start of 2017 against the Indians on May 29th.
Joe Ross has held his own over three seasons of limited action in the big leagues. He has gone 14-11 with a 3.87 ERA and 1.261 WHIP over 37 starts and three relief appearances. He'll be up against an Oakland team that is hitting .234 and scoring 3.9 runs per game on the season.
Washington is 10-1 in road games after having won 6 or 7 of their last 8 games this season. Oakland is 1-10 after scoring four runs or less three straight games this season. The Nationals are 4-1 in Ross' last five starts. The A's are 1-7 in Mengden's last eight starts. Oakland is 1-9 in its last 10 interleague home games.