Free Picks: Service Plays for Wednesday August, 29

Marc LawrenceFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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St Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: St Louis Cardinals
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The Cardinals and Pirates conclude a three-game gathering in Pittsburgh Wednesday evening where St. Louis takes on former Astro Wandy Rodriguez under the ESPN lights. Rodriguez enters the fray in lousy KW form with 6 strikeouts and 7 walks in his last three starts. He is also 4-11 at home and 4-13 at night in his team starts this season. With that look for the Red Birds to cash for the 6th time in their last 7 games in this park as they improve to 16-5 on Wednesdays, their best day of the week this season, here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on St. Louis.

Scott SpreitzerFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Reds at Diamondbacks
Prediction: Under
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Mat Latos has been a terrific daytime pitcher and he has owned the Chase Field bump. On Wednesday, Latos puts the two together. Latos owns a 1.42 ERA & 1.05 WHIP in three starts at this venue and he has a 3.06 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and .195 BAA in nine daytime starts in 2012, adding to his outstanding afternoon numbers through the first three-plus seasons of his career. Arizona will counter with young Patrick Corbin. The lefty has been excellent at home and in afternoon outings, also. He'll face a Cincinnati lineup that plates just 3.8 rpg in road day games against southpaws. Reds / D'back games are on a 42-16-3 Under run in their last 61 meetings, including a 16-7 run to the Under at Chase Field. The Reds are 6-1-1 to the Under in their last eight against lefties, while the Snakes are 5-1-1 to the Under in their last seven home games. I'm playing the Under between the Reds & D'backs on Wednesday afternoon.

Rob VincilettiFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Seattle Mariners vs. Minnesota Twins
Play: Seattle Mariners
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The Mariners are a live dog and have better overall numbers in this one. Seattle has won 7 of 9 from Minnesota this season at 16 of the last 19 vs Losing teams overall. The Twins have dropped 18 of 26 this month and 20 of 29 on the season at home when the total is 9 to 9.5. The past week they are averaging just 2.2 runs on .215 hitting. They have lost 6 straight vs left handed pitchers and have been crushed losing 15 of the last 17 vs A.L. West Division teams. Deduno makes the start for the Twins and he has a 6.00 era over his last 3 appearances. J. Vargas goes for Seattle and he has won his last 2 here and 7 of his last 10 road starts. Look for Seattle to take another from Minnesota.

Chris ElliottFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Toronto vs. NY Yankees
Pick: Under
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The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees square off at Yankee stadium Wednesday afternoon in this matchup.
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The Jays will send J.A. Happ to the mound with a record of 9-10 and 4.68 ERA. He has made 4 starts since being traded from Houston with a record of 2-1 and 3.86 ERA with the total going "Under" in 3 of the starts. He has been locked in as of late with a record of 1-0 and 1.35 ERA in back to back excellent starts, both games going "Under". His starts have gone "Under" 11 times in the past 15 games with 1 "Push".
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6 time All Star and former CY Young winner C.C. Sabathia will toe the rubber for the Yankees in this game. He has been awesome this season as usual with a record of 13-3 and 3.44 ERA. Its business as usual for the dominating lefty with 8 quality starts in his last 10 games. The total has been split across the board in his last 20 home starts with both the "Under" and "Over" hitting 9 each with 1 "Push". In 17 career starts against the Blue Jays, the "Under" has cashed 10 times with 2 "Push".
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8 of the last 11 games between these two have gone "Under". The Jays offense is decimated with slugger Jose Bautista done for the season and lead off batter Brett Lawrie still on the DL. The Yankees will be without the services of Mark Teixeria in this game as he will be out a couple weeks due to injury. First ballot hall of famer Alex Rodriguez remains sidelined as well. Look for the two starters to remain hot in this game. Take the "Under" to win.

Jesse SchuleFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Boston vs. LA Angels
Pick: OverFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Angels will host the Red Sox in Game 2 of this series on the West Coast tonight, and this is a must win ballgame for LA. After having a terrible month of August, they find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the post-season.
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The Angels will send C.J. Wilson to the mound tonight, and he hasn't earned a victory in any of his last 10 starts. Wilson (9-9, 3.83 ERA) allowed seven runs on eight hits over five innings, in a 14-13 ballgame against these very same Red Sox his last time out. He has allowed six or more runs in four of his last five starts, and he has allowed at least one home run in six straight starts.
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Jacoby Ellisbury has hit Wilson well in previous meetings, going 3 for 7 with a double, while Dustin Pedroia is hitting .462 with a pair of doubles and a home run in 13 career at bats against Wilson.
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Boston will send a rookie into the fire here tonight, Zach Stewart will get just his second start of the season. His first start didn't go all that well, he was torched for six runs on nine hits over five innings in a 12-3 loss to the Cubs. He is not in a good spot here, going up against the stacked Angels lineup here in LA in a must win game for the Halos.
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This game has slugfest written all over it.

Tom FreeseFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Milwaukee Brewers
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The 61-67 Brewers are in Chicago for Game 3 of their 4 Game series with the 49-79 Cubs on Wednesday. Chicago gives the Rock to 8-11 Samardzija while 7-6 Fiers toes the rubber for Milwaukee. Samardzija starts this contest with a 4.09 ERA Overall giving up 69 earned runs in 151.7 innings pitched allowing 54 BB and recording 153 K's. In the opposite dugout, Fiers begins his day with a 3.01 ERA giving up 31 earned runs in 92.7 innings pitched allowing 22 BB and recording 94 K's. The Cubs are 0-5 in Their last 5 Games against National League Central Clubs and 1-4 in their last 5 games as a Home Underdog. Also 6-20 in their last 26 Overall Games. The Brewers are 6-1 in Their last 7 Overall Games and 4-0 in their last 4 Games as a Favorite. Also 7-1 in their last 8 against NL Central Clubs. As you can see, Fiers and Milwaukee OWN Chicago in this situation.

Dave CokinFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Oakland Athletics vs Cleveland Indians
Pick: Oakland Athletics
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Two teams traveling in totally opposite directions and no reason to see that changing today. I'll back the A's to top the Indians again.

Jim FeistFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies
Pick: New York Mets
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The Mets have an under the radar arm going in Matt Harvey (2.75 ERA), who has 43 Ks in 36 innings and only 24 hits allowed. His last 19+ innings he's fanned 20 with a 1.83 ERA. And the weak Philadelphia offense has never faced him. The Phillies are 2-5 in Cole Hamels' last 7 starts vs. the National League East. Hamels has also struggled against these Mets with a 5-10 record and a 4.39 ERA in his career against them, including a 4.09 ERA this season. Play the NY Mets.

ParlayJoe

Brewers are 8-1 in their last 9 vs. National League Central and 5-0 in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Our play free today is on the Milwaukee Brewers.

Matt FargoFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Cincinnati vs. Arizona
Pick: Cincinnati
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The Reds have taken the first two games of this series and they go for the sweep this afternoon. Cincinnati has a comfortable seven-game lead over the Cardinals in the National League Central and it has improved to nine games over .500 on the road with these first two wins. This has been a great spot of late as the Reds are 13-3 in their last 16 games as road favorites and they look to continue that with Mat Latos taking the hill. He is coming off a horrible start against the Cardinals last time out as he allowed seven runs in just five innings. He has been in this situation twice before after allowing seven runs or more and he followed both of those games up with gems, allowing just one run in 17 combined innings. The Reds are 6-0 in his last six starts after scoring five runs or more in their previous game. The Diamondbacks continue their struggles as they have dropped five straight games to fall two games under .500 for the season. All of the losses have come at home where they are now .500 on the season. The pitching and offense have both been horrible as Arizona is hitting .171 and the starters ERA is 6.66 during this skid. The Diamondbacks are 2-8 in their last 10 home games against teams with a winning road record. Patrick Corbin takes the hill and he has been decent in his 10 starts but after three straight quality starts, he has allowed four runs in each of his last two starts. He has done well at home but the offense has averaged only 3.3 rpg in four home starts and with the recent struggles, that likely will not improve today.

Stephen NoverFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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SD Padres +115
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San Diego has won eight of its last nine games. But the oddsmaker doesn't seem to care. The Padres probably could win 12 in a row and nobody would take notice because San Diego is so far under the radar.
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This matchup is a perfect example of San Diego not getting any respect - and the Braves with Tommy Hanson being overrated. The Braves certainly are better than the Padres, but they shouldn't be favored here.
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Hanson has a great reputation. Truth be told, though, he's been terrible since suffering shoulder inflammation that landed him on the DL. Maybe it's still bothering him because Hanson is not nearly as good, or as promising, as his reputation. In his last six starts, Hanson has given up 23 earned runs on 40 hits and 21 walks in 30 1/3 innings. Opponents have an on-base percentage of .423 during this span against Hanson.
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The Padres are going with southpaw Eric Stults, who is the opposite of Hanson in that he's not a name pitcher but has been very effective and underrated. Since coming off the DL last month, Stults is 3-0 with a 2.20 ERA in eight games. Foes are hitting .232 against him.
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The Braves have a much better record than the Padres, but it should be noted Atlanta has a losing mark when facing left-handers. The Padres also are 16-5 as underdogs of plus $1.10 to $1.50. Atlanta has scored four or fewer runs in nine of its last 12 games.
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Despite missing closer Huston Street, the Padres have been getting great pitching holding their opponents to an average of two runs per game during the past nine games.

GoodFellaFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Tigers / Royals Over 9
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We have a nice weather pattern for some runs here tonight, temps in the low 90's/high 80's & wind blowing out to LF at 9mph. Last night, both starters did not get past the 5th inning, so we had major bullpen usage. The Tigers have been knocking around LH pitching recently, and KC is simply much more dangerous vs RH pitching. Add on that both Anibal and Chen are fly ball pitchers & I really expect both teams to get 4 runs before this game goes final, and when that happens, we push our bet at worse here. I am on the OVER 9 here, tonight.

Joe GavazziFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Oakland -135
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Oakland is 44-23 and 10-2 recently. They have beaten Cleveland 6 straight times with their pitchers recording a 1.67 ERA. Cleveland's slide continues at 5-25 and 1-12. With Oakland firmly entrenched in the playoff hunt and Cleveland long ago tossing the towel, Oakland is your Play at this Value Price!

Andre GomesFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Blue Jays / Yankees Under 8.5
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Looking at Sabathia's level and Happ's current form, I believe he will have a pitchers duel on this contest, similar to Happ's start in Detroit last week against Verlander. In that game, he had his best performance since joining Toronto, with just one run allowed on four hits in 7.1 IP. He is definitely very well right now, with just two runs allowed on six hitting in 13.1 IP over his last two starts. He had three quality starts out of four games for Toronto and he has always faced a top team: Tampa Bay, NY Yankees, Texas and Detroit, with FIP numbers of 2.41, 0.93 and 1.48 in those three excellent outings. He will now once again face the Yankees today, who have been having some offensive issues lately, mostly caused due to Teixeira and A-Rod being out. Therefore, I believe the in-form Happ will have a good outing today and limit the Yankees offense in this game.
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Sabathia will start for the Yankees and he is coming from a great comeback game from injury in Cleveland, where he allowed just one run and four hits in 7.1 IP, with a 1.23 ERA, 3.23 FIP and 2.06 xFIP. He has always been very successful against the Blue Jays and with Toronto's current poor offense, I believe Sabathia will have an easy outing today.
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With Sabathia dominating the Blue Jays and with Happ being in good form, ready to have another quality outing today, I believe this game will be a low scoring contest like it was yesterday and therefore, I'll be taking the Under in here.