Chris Jordan
My free pick run is at 28-15 after scoring with the Texas Rangers against the Angels of Anaheim. I told you two nights ago might have thrown a severe dagger into the Halos. Last night the Rangers got into another marathon and came out on top in a 15-9 win. Now the Angels have to go to the Windy City and play a feisty Chicago White Sox team that is doing everything possible to stay on top in the contentious American League Central.
I like the White Sox to get the best of what I feel will be a weary Angels team that has certainly exhausted its pitching in humid Arlington, and could be in trouble with Zack Greinke toeing the slab. I have nothing against the newly acquired right-hander, but I don't think this is a good spot for Greinke, who is 7-10 in 22 starts against the White Sox in his career with a 3.98 ERA.
Chicago has won two straight now and is on a 7-3 run heading into this game. My money is on the White Sox getting it done tonight.
2♦ CHICAGO
Matt Rivers
3 straight free plays winners for you after Miami and Atlanta held under the total last night.
Tonight I am going with an Over, as I feel the Angels bats are going to put us quite close to the total all by themselves this evening on the South Side of Chicago.
The Halos just scored 40 runs in their four game set at Texas, but they also gave up 36 runs in those four games. Obviously, three of the four games did eclipse the posted price.
With Phillip Humber sporting a season ERA of 5.90 it is a safe bet that the Angels bats will continue to produce tonight versus the Pale Hose.
Second start for Zack Greinke in an Angels uniform, and it would be foolish not to assume Greinke will be serving them up, as he did pitch well in his debut only to lose a 1-0 contest.
Still, this Over play is predicated on the Angels making noise, and with six of the last seven series meetings between the teams having played Over the total, there is no need to outthink ourselves here.
Grip it and rip it time for the Angels once again.
Go Over in L.A.-Chicago tonight.
4♦ L.A. ANGELS-CHICAGO WHITE SOX OVER
Dom Chambers
For today’s free play, let’s go with the Los Angeles Dodgers on the run line to beat the Chicago Cubs.
Chad Billingsley starts for the Dodgers. He has been a groove lately. In his last three starts, he is 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA and a WHIP of 0.931. Actually, his last two starts, he has been outstanding. He has given up one run in 13 1/3 innings.
With the Dodgers adding some offense at the trade deadline and Billingsley pitching better, it’s a combination that is very attractive.
For the Cubs, Jeff Samardzija starts. He has been good, going 1-0 in his last three starts. In that span, his ERA is 1.42. On the road, it’s a little tougher for him, as he is 4-5 with a 4.71 ERA.
The Dodgers were just swept by the D-Backs, so I am looking for a bounce-back game from them. The Dodgers need to take advantage of their schedule. They have the Cubs, Rockeis and the Marlins as their next three series. This is a spot for them to make a move.
Look for a big effort here.
Take the Dodgers on the run line.
2♦ DODGERS -1.5
Ross Benjamin
New York Mets vs San Diego Padres
Pick: New York Mets
After going into a bit of a funk R.A. Dickey got back on track in his last start. In his one start versus the Padres this season Dickey toss 7 1/3 inning of scoreless baseball while allowing just 3 hits. The Mets have righted the ship a bit after a horrible 2-14 slide by winning 4 of their last 5.
The San Diego starter Clayton Richard is 1-4 in his last 5 team starts with a lofty 5.91 ERA. Richard is a dismal 0-9 in his last 9 and 2-15 in his last 17 versus teams from the NL East. The southpaw is also a horrible 6-21 in his team starts at night over the last 2 seasons.
Any National League game that has a road team that averages between 4.3-4.8 runs per game with a starting pitcher with an ERA of 3.00 or less on the season, versus an opponent with a starting pitcher with an ERA of between 3.70-4.20 is 36-11 (76.6%) since the start of the 2008 season. Play on the New York Mets.
Dirty
Mets vs. Padres
Play: Over 6.5
Righthander R.A. Dickey will take the mound for the Mets to start this game. Dickey is 14-2 this season with a 2.73 ERA. Starting this game for the Padres will be Clayton Richard. The lefthander has a 4.14 ERA to go along with a 7-11 record this season. Dickey is getting pitched to death ever 4 days and the Mets are thinking of making it a regular 5 days again. Richard is getting lit up like the Xmas Tree in Christmas Vacation.... Dickey has had a Push and a over in 2 of the last 3 I expect this one to be as well The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Mets's last 11 games when playing San Diego The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing on the road against San Diego