MLB Betting News and Notes Friday, August 25th, 2017

MLB Knowledge

National League

Mets @ Nationals
deGrom is 1-4, 4.60 in in his last five starts; over is 7-2 in his last nine. Mets are 8-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 15-9-1

Cole is 0-3, 6.75 in his last three starts (under 3-0-1). Washington lost both his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-3

Mets are 2-9 in their last 11 games; under is 5-2 in their last seven. New York is 10-9 in road series openers. Washington is 7-3 in last ten home games; under is 11-1-1 in their last 13 games. Nationals are 13-8 in home series openers.

Cubs @ Phillies
Quintana is 2-0, 3.27 in his last two starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Cubs are 1-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-3-2

Eickhoff is 1-0, 4.41 in his last three starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Phillies are 5-5 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-10-3

Cubs won five of last six games; over is 7-3 in their last ten. Chicago is 9-2 in last 11 road series openers. Phillies are 3-9 in last 12 games; over is 8-3 in their last 11. Phils are 5-14 in home series openers.

Pirates @ Reds
Nova is 1-4, 6.88 in his last six starts; under is 9-3-1 in his last 13. Pirates are 4-10 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-13-1

Stephenson is 1-2, 4.87 in four starts this year (under 3-1). Reds lost his only home start— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-1-1

Pirates are 3-9 in last 12 games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine. Bucs are 8-13 in road series openers. Cincinnati lost three of last four games; over is 7-1 in their last eight home games. Reds are 10-10 in home series openers.

Padres @ Marlins
Wood is 1-0, 2.25 in his last two starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. San Diego is 0-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-2-1

Conley is 2-0, 2.70 in his last two starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Miami is 3-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 6-4-3

Padres are 6-4 in last ten games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight. San Diego is 7-15 in road series openers. Miami is 10-3 in its last 13 games; over is 4-1 in their last five. Marlins are 9-4 in last 13 home series openers.

Rockies @ Braves
Bettis is 1-0, 1.93 in two starts this year (under 2-0). This is his first road start this year. Rockies’ first 5-inning record with him: 0-1-1

Teheran is 0-5, 6.08 in his last seven starts; under is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Atlanta 3-9 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 10-10-5

Rockies lost four of last five games; under is 7-1-1 in their last nine road games. Colorado is 3-10 in last 13 road series openers. Atlanta is 5-11 in its last 16 games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 home games. Braves are 9-11 in home series openers.

Giants @ Diamondbacks
Blach is 0-2, 9.53 in his last two starts; his last four starts went over. Giants are 3-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-9-1

Greinke is 1-2, 5.40 in his last four starts, last three of which stayed under. Arizona is 8-1 in his last nine home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 15-6-4

Giants are 3-10 in last 13 road games; their last four games overall stayed under. SF is 2-7 in last nine road series openers. Arizona won three of last four games; over is 6-3-2 in their last 11 home games. Diamondbacks are 14-6 in home series openers.

Brewers @ Dodgers
Anderson is 2-0, 2.00 in his last four starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Brewers are 5-4 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-5-2

Maeda is 5-1, 3.05 in his last seven starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Dodgers are 8-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-5-2

Milwaukee is 7-3 in its last ten games, last five of which stayed under. Brewers 5-9 in last 14 road series openers. Dodgers are 9-2 in last 11 games; under is 4-2 in their last six. LA is 16-6 in home series openers.

American League

Mariners @ New York
Miranda is 1-2, 7.97 in his last four starts; over is 8-2 in his last ten. Seattle 9-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 14-10-1

Sabathia is 1-2, 6.52 in his last four starts; under is 12-2 in his last 14. New York is 6-2 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 10-9-1

Mariners won six of last eight games; over is 7-5 in their last 12 road tilts. Seattle is 11-5 in last 16 road series openers. New York is 7-3 in its last ten games; over is 5-2 in their last seven. NY is 12-6 in home series openers.

Twins @ Blue Jays
Colon is 3-1, 3.67 in his last four starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. Minnesota is 1-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 4-3

Happ is 3-1, 3.04 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five starts. Toronto is x-x in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 8-10

Minnesota won six of its last nine games; their last three games stayed under. Twins are 12-8 in road series openers. Blue Jays lost five of last six games; under is 7-1 in their last eight home games. Toronto is 8-12 in home series openers.

Orioles @ Red Sox
Hellickson is 0-2, 9.19 in his last three starts (over 2-2). Orioles are 0-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-2-1

Porcello is 4-0, 4.07 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Boston is 7-8 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-26

Orioles are 3-5 in last eight games; four of their last five games stayed under. Baltimore is 8-12 in road series openers. Boston is 6-3 in its last nine games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Red Sox are 15-7 in home series openers.

Royals @ Indians
Vargas is 1-3, 7.08 in his last four starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Royals are 8-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 6-24

Merritt is 0-0, 5.87 in two starts this year (over 1-1). This is his first home starts. Indians’ first 5-inning record with him: 1-1

Royals are 7-4 in last 11 games; over is 13-7 in their last 20 games. KC is 9-11 in road series openers. Cleveland is 10-4 in its last 14 games; under is 9-3 in their last 12 home games. Indians won their last six home series openers.

Tigers @ White Sox
Verlander is 4-1, 2.06 in his last five starts; under is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Detroit is 3-10 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-12-5

Gonzalez is 2-0, 0.90 in his last three starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Chicago is 4-4 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 8-10-2

Tigers lost 8 of last 10 games; over is 6-2 in their last eight. Detroit is 9-11 in road series openers. Chicago is 5-3 in its last eight games, last three of which stayed under. White Sox are 9-11 in home series openers.

Rangers @ A’s
Griffin is 1-2, 4.80 in his last three starts (over 8-3-1). Texas is 5-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-5

Graveman is 1-2, 6.64 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Oakland is 4-2 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-5-4

Rangers are 11-4 in last 15 games; over is 6-4 in their last ten. Texas is 9-11 in road series openers. A’s lost five of last seven games; they’re 2-8 in last ten home series openers. Under is 5-1 in their last six games.

Astros @ Angels
McHugh is 1-1, 1.54 in his last two starts; his last five starts stayed under. Houston is 1-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-3

Bridwell is 5-0, 2.61 in his last eight starts (under 7-1). Angels are 5-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 8-2-2

Houston lost three of last four games; under is 6-1 in their last seven. Astros are 14-6 in road series openers. Angels lost three of last four games; under is 8-3 in their last 11. Halos are 7-13 in home series openers.

Interleague

Rays @ Cardinals
Odorizzi is 0-3, 7.24 in his last three starts; over is 10-2 in his last 12. Tampa Bay is 3-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 8-9-4

Wacha is 0-2, 9.00 in his last two starts; his last three starts went over. Cardinals are 7-6 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 10-9-4

Rays won three of last four games; under is 10-4 in their last 14. Tampa Bay is 12-8 in road series openers. St Louis lost four of last five games; over is 6-2 in their last eight home games. Cardinals are 8-4 in home series openers.

Record with this pitcher starting

National League
NY-Wsh: deGrom 15-10; Cole 1-3
Chi-Phil: Quintana 4-3 (10-8 ); Eickhoff 7-15
Pitt-Cin: Nova 13-12; Stephenson 2-2
SD-Mia: Wood 3-2; Conley 7-6
Col-Atl: Bettis 1-1; Teheran 10-15
SF-Az: Blach 9-12; Greinke 17-8
Mil-LA: Anderson 9-8; Maeda 14-6

American League
Sea-NY: Miranda 14-11; Sabathia 14-6
Minn-Tor: Colon 3-4 (5-8 ); Happ 7-11
Balt-Bos: Hellickson 2-2 (10-10); Porcello 12-14 (4-0 last 4)
KC-Clev: Vargas 16-8; Merritt 1-1
Det-Chi: Verlander 12-14; Gonzalez 8-12
Tex-A’s: Griffin 8-4; Graveman 5-7
Hst-LA: McHugh 2-4; Bridwell 11-1

Interleague
TB-StL: Odorizzi 7-14; Wacha 11-12

Pitchers allowing a run in first inning

National League
NY-Wsh: deGrom 8-25; Cole 1-4
Chi-Phil: Quintana 6-25; Eickhoff 8-22
Pitt-Cin: Nova 8-25; Stephenson 1-4
SD-Mia: Wood 1-5; Conley 6-13
Col-Atl: Bettis 0-2; Teheran 8-25
SF-Az: Blach 7-21; Greinke 3-25
Mil-LA: Anderson 5-17; Maeda 7-20

American League
Sea-NY: Miranda 12-25; Sabathia 5-20
Minn-Tor: Colon 6-20; Happ 4-18
Balt-Bos: Hellickson 7-24; Porcello 7-26
KC-Clev: Vargas 6-24; Merritt 0-2
Det-Chi: Verlander 6-26; Gonzalez 6-20
Tex-A’s: Griffin 3-12; Graveman 6-12
Hst-LA: McHugh 0-6; Bridwell 1-12

Interleague
TB-StL: Odorizzi 6-21; Wacha 3-23

Interleague play

NL @ AL– 76-55 AL, favorites +$103
AL @ NL– 69-61 NL, favorites +$296
Total: 138-123 AL, favorites +$399

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 65-65-3
AL @ NL: Over 69-55-7
Total: Over 134-120-10

Armadillosports.com

Friday's Diamond Notes
By Tony Mejia
VegasInsider.com

Hottest team: Dodgers (9-2 last 11, 55-11 last 66)

It's absolutely jaw-dropping to see the numbers above. So many units. The 90 wins you can see in the standings today -- Aug. 25 -- have only been available for viewing this early in 1998 (Yankees) and 2001 (Mariners). Seattle won 116 games. It's unlikely that the Dodgers get there due to all the attrition they're currently facing, particularly with their pitching, but that doesn't mean they're not going to try. It's ridiculous that one of the only two losses they've suffered since Aug. 12 came after Rich Hill completed nine no-hit innings on Wednesday, so L.A. is indeed going to take the field for its last three home dates until Sept. 4 as the best team in baseball despite the absence of Clayton Kershaw, Yu Darvish and Cody Bellinger, three of the game's top talents.

The -185 range they opened at may appear inflated given the travel from Pittsburgh and the fact Kenta Maeda (11-5, 3.88 ERA) suffered their last loss and takes the mound tonight, but have some respect when you consider fading them. Curtis Granderson and Adrian Gonzalez homered to aid yesterday's bounce-back win, so maybe reinforcements have arrived. Milwaukee +167, huh? The Brewers are worth a look, as the early public has already committed to. Chase Anderson (7-2, 2.83) looked sharp in his return from the DL. Travis Shaw is questionable due to a foot injury.

Coldest team: Tigers (4-14 last 18)

Although it pulled out a 10-6 win in Thursday's brawl-marred series finale against the Yankees, Detroit hasn't demonstrated much passion all season. Although the Tigers responded to avoid being swept after being outscored 23-6 in the first two games, they were bickering among themselves in the dugout after teammates called out Victor Martinez for fraternizing with Gary Sanchez during one of the skirmishes. That's all family business, sure, but they look like one unhappy family.

Beyond whatever suspensions MLB hands down in the coming days, this team is stuck together on a six-game road trip that begins in Chicago against a young White Sox team resurgent enough to win three of five from the Twins. The youth movement is invested in playing spoiler, especially at home, where they're 7-4 at home this month. Justin Verlander (9-8, 3.96), who got into it with Martinez in a widely viewed argument, has a chance to set the tone on the trip and is heavily favored (-160) over Sox veteran Miguel Gonzalez (7-10, 4.44). He should be fired up and has pitched the Tigers to wins in four of his last five starts, giving up just three runs over 29 innings in the victories.

Hottest pitcher: Parker Bridwell, Angels (7-1, 2.92 ERA)

The rookie won his first two decisions, then was rocked in a 10-0 home loss to the Mariners on June 30. The Halos have won all eight of his starts since, six of them coming by a single run. Bridwell has walked more than single batter only once in that span, which is the same game (Aug. 3 vs. Phillies) where he's surrendered more than two earned runs. He faced Houston, which opened as a slight favorite (-114), in his major league debut last season.

Coldest pitcher: Jake Odorizzi, Rays (6-7, 4.74 ERA)

He got rocked in his last start, giving up seven runs and eight hits at home against the Mariners. Worst yet, he walked a season-high five batters and has pitched in just three Tampa Bay victories over his last 14 outings. Given their postseason aspirations, the Rays badly hope he snaps out of it in the series opener of the weekend's only interleague series. St. Louis (-158) is favored with Michael Wacha (9-6, 4.08) on the mound.

Biggest UNDER run: Rockies (5-1 last six, 14-5 last 19)

Colorado had a run in which the low side went 10-1-1 from June 28 to July 9, and it was part of what brought them back down to earth. With the Rockies' wild card grip growing increasingly tenuous, they better figure things out offensively before what their season's dreams fade. They had lost four straight before rallying for a 3-2 win in Kansas City to avoid being swept on Thursday afternoon and have managed over four runs in a single game only twice in the last 16 games. The Rockies run into Braves ace Julio Teheran, who despite a down year (7-11, 5.02), blanked them over seven innings just 11 days ago. Chad Bettis (0-0, 1.93) has been great since his return from battling cancer. The Atlanta-Colorado total is at 9.

Biggest OVER run: Phillies (8-3 last 11)

Powered by Rhys Hopkins tying a big league record shared by Toronto's Carlos Delgado and Colorado's Trevor Story with eight homers in his first 15 career games, the Phillies have a pulse. Although they lost three of four to the Marlins, Philadelphia is another team exhibiting a pulse through an infusion of youth as we speed towards September. The rookie and Tommy Joseph batting in the No. 5 spot behind him each hit three and has joined Hopkins on a tear, up to 19 homers and providing insurance in the lineup. The Phillies hit 11 of the 21 homers in the home series against Giancarlo Stanton's Marlins and now run into a Cubs offense that had been hot until last night's upset loss to the Reds. The over is 6-2 over Chicago's last eight, so both Jerad Eickhoff (3-7, 4.46) and Jose Quintana (8-10, 4.27) will have to be on their game. The Phils-Cubs total has been set at 9 too.

Matchup to watch: Royals at Indians (-130, 9.5)

The two preseason AL Central favorites enter this series separated by six games after the Tribe hammered Chris Sale's Red Sox again following Kansas City's late-inning loss. If the Royals can make Progressive Field a friendly venue over the next few weeks, they'll have a shot at winning the division despite the current standings.

All seven of the remaining meetings in this series will be played in Cleveland. The Royals opened their final homestand against the Tribe by being outscored 15-1 over the first two games last weekend before salvaging Sunday's contest 7-4.

Thus far, these teams have split 12 matchups, but this series opener will have a new variable, Indians lefty Ryan Merritt. Known for his memorable scoreless turn in last year's ALCS Game 5 despite just one regular season start, Merritt hasn't been able to crack the rotation and will be making just his fourth appearance this season. Only a handful of Royals have ever faced him in the bigs, and only Eric Hosmer has a hit against him.

After Hosmer's heroic 3-run homer helped salvage a loss to the Rockies and hinted of a potential magical run, momentum came to a halt when Colorado's Pat Valaika smacked a late go-ahead 2-run homer off reliever Mike Minor and the offense failed to rally.

Ace Jason Vargas (14-7, 3.59) will look to get them back on track while setting a new career-high for wins after failing to last five innings against the Tribe in a 5-0 loss on Aug. 19. Vargas is 2-1 with a 2.13 ERA against Cleveland this season over four starts and surrendered just two runs over his first 20.2 innings against them before last weekend's letdown.

Betcha didn’t know: Bartolo Colon (5-10, 6.66) has a diabolical ERA. Now you do. He's also given up six homers over his last two starts but is 3-1 with 3.67 ERA thus far in August and won at Toronto's Rogers Centre on May 15 in a 10-6 win as a member of the Braves. The 44-year-old will be opposed by J.A. Happ (6-9, 3.90) as he attempts to keep the Twins ahead in the race for the AL wild card, which now features five teams separated by a single game.

Biggest public favorite: Diamondbacks (-235) vs. Giants

Biggest public underdog: Brewers (+167) at Dodgers

Biggest line move: Red Sox (-150 to -160) vs. Orioles

Astros, Angels meet Friday night
By: StatFox.com

The Angels will be hoping to earn a big victory over the Astros in Los Angeles on Friday.

The Astros don’t really have to worry about the Angels winning the AL West this season, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be looking to win this series in a big way. Houston wants to halt the momentum of all of the teams in its division, and Los Angeles certainly has just that. The Angels have played some very good baseball over the past couple of weeks and they now find themselves fighting for a spot in the postseason. This will, however, be a very tough series coming up, and the Angels can’t afford to get swept here. In fact, they’d be in a pretty bad spot if they were to lose this series at all. The starters in this Friday night meeting will be RHP Collin McHugh (1-2, 4.01 ERA, 31 K) for Houston and RHP Parker Bridwell (7-1, 2.92 ERA, 47 K) for Los Angeles. McHugh is coming off his best start since returning from an injury, but Bridwell has been the Angels’ best pitcher this season. Los Angeles has not had an ace in quite some time, so it’d be interesting to see if he is capable of keeping things up moving forward.

Collin McHugh is coming off of a very impressive start for the Astros, as he pitched six shutout innings against the Athletics on Aug. 19. It was McHugh’s second good outing in a row, as he gave up just two earned runs in 5.2 innings of work against the Diamondbacks on Aug. 14. If he can give Houston six solid innings of work then the team should have a good chance of beating Los Angeles in this one. He’ll just need to make sure he is throwing strikes in this one, as he can plague his team by putting too many batters on base. As for Houston’s offense, it’s always a safe bet to assume that 2B Jose Altuve is going to come through at the plate. Altuve has been the best hitter in baseball for the past couple of seasons, and he has a very good chance of winning the AL MVP award this season. And guys like SS Carlos Correa and OF George Springer will also do their best in this one. Both guys have ridiculous power, so they’ll make Bridwell pay for any mistakes.

The Angels have had a very strong second half of the season and will be doing everything they can over the next couple of weeks in order to secure a spot in the playoffs. They’ll be sending Parker Bridwell to the hill on Friday, and Bridwell has been remarkable for them this season. The 26-year-old has allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight of his past 10 starts heading into this game, and he’ll be hoping to keep it up beginning Friday. He has, however, faced offenses that are nowhere near as good as the Astros and will need to make sure he is on point with his command here. If he hangs any pitches too high then Houston will make him pay. Offensively, the Angels will be counting on OFs Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun here. Both guys have been scorching hot lately and they should have a good chance of getting to McHugh in this game.

MLB Daily Line Drive
Covers.com

Double-Play Picks

Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics (-118, 9.5)

The Rangers may have sold off a bunch of assets at the non-waiver trade deadline, but that hasn’t stopped them from clawing their way back into the American League Wild Card race.
Texas has won 11 of their last 15 games to climb within one game of the Twins for the second wild card spot and of all the teams battling for that last spot, they are the only one with a positive run differential.

The Rangers will look to stay hot as they begin a three-game set against the AL West basement dwelling A’s Friday night in Oakland. Texas will send Nick Martinez to toe the rubber against Oakland’s Kendal Graveman.

It as not been a great season for Martinez, going 3-4 with a 5.38 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP, but as a starter this season, his ERA puffs up to 5.68 ERA.

The right-hander faces an A’s lineup that has been surprisingly potent this season, especially at home, where they are sixth in the Majors in home runs with 99. Martinez has allowed 20 dingers in just 13 starts this season.

On the other side is Graveman, who is 3-4 with a 4.54 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP and while he has been better at home, in 10 “night” starts Graveman in 2-4 with a 4.70 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

Graveman faces a hot Texas lineup that is averaging 6.3 runs per game in its last 15 games and leads the MLB in home runs. Expect fireworks in Oakland Friday night.

Pick: Over 9.5

Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels (-110, 8.5)

The Angeles will host the Astros in the opener of a three-game weekend series Friday night in a battle of first and second place teams in the American League West.

The Astros lead the Angels by 12.5 games, but the Angels are in the midst of the epic battle for the second AL Wildcard spot trailing the Twins by just a half-game. Houston will send Collin McHugh to the bump, while the Angels will counter with rookie standout Parker Bridwell.

McHugh is still finding his groove after missing most the season with what the team called a “right elbow impingement”. However, he has only really been roughed up in one outing. Take away his start against the White Sox and McHugh has a 2.54 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP with 26 strikeouts in five starts.

McHugh also loves divisional matchups, with the Astros going 29-5 in his last 34 starts versus American League West opponents and the Angels in particular. In 11 career starts against the Angels he is 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP.

Parker Bridwell has been great, but he hasn’t been as good at home and the Astros will want to show Parker and the Angels who are the kings of the division.

Pick: Astros -110

Yesterday's Picks: 0-2
Season To Date: 124-114-13

Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

Streaking: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander is one of the greatest pitchers of his generation and the former American League Cy Young Award winner has been on a tear lately.

Over his last five starts he owns a 4-1 record, a 2.06 ERA, a .83 WHIP and has struck out 39 batters in 35 innings of work.

Verlander and the Tigers, who should be fired up after yesterday's brawl, are -159 road chalk tonight in Chicago against Miguel Gonzalez and the White Sox.

Slumping: Jeremy Hellickson, Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles as anyone that has followed the line drive this season knows have a questionable starting rotation, that has provided many entries to our slumping pitchers spot. Enter Jeremy Hellickson another worthy addition.

In his last three trips to the mound he has a team win/loss record of 0-3 with an ERA of 9.19, WHIP of 1.40, opponents on base percentage of .314 and given up six home runs.

These are awful numbers by any stretch and making things even worse he allowed them against the pedestrian lineups of the Angels and Athletics. Hellickson and the Orioles are +145 road dogs against Rick Porcello and the Red Sox.

Friday's Top Trends

* Under is 10-1 in CC Sabathia’s last 11 starts on grass. SEA/NYY Total: 9.5
* Over is 11-0 in Twins last 11 on astroturf. MIN/TOR Total: 9.5
* Over is 7-1 in Reds last 8 home games. PIT/CIN Total: 9.5
* Marlins are 7-1 in their last 8 home games. -152 today vs. Padres
* Rockies are 11-1 in Chad Bettis' last 12 starts vs. National League East. +109 at Braves.

Weather To Keep An Eye On

There is a chance of thunderstorms for most of the day in South Florida, so the roof at Marlins Park will, most likely, be closed tonight when the Marlins welcome the San Diego Padres to town.

The only significant wind in the forecast today is a 10-12 mile per hour hitters wind blowing out to right field at Oakland Coliseum where the A’s are hosting the Texas Rangers. The total is currently sitting at 9.5.