National League
Reds @ Pirates
DeSclafani is 4-0, 4.06 in his last five starts; under is 4-1-2 in his last seven. Reds split his six road starts.
Taillon is 1-1, 3.00 in his last four starts (over 5-3).
Reds won their last six series (12-6); they’re 6-3 in last nine road series openers. Under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Pittsburgh lost five of last six games; they’re 10-7 in home series openers. Last four Pittsburgh home games went over.
Giants @ Nationals
Samardzija is 0-2, 7.56 in his last three starts; over is 9-3 in his last 12. Giants are 6-5 in his road starts.
Gonzalez is 2-1, 3.00 in his last four starts; over is 10-5-1 in his last 16 starts. Washington is 5-4 in his home starts.
Giants lost nine of last 11 road games; six of their last eight games stayed under. SF is 8-10 in road series openers. Washington won six of its last eight games; they’re 10-6 in home series openers. Four of last five Washington home games went over.
Braves @ Cardinals
De la Cruz is 0-2, 5.51 in his three starts (under 2-1).
Garcia is 0-2, 9.35 in his last two starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Cardinals are 3-7 in his home starts.
Cardinals lost four of last five games, over is 6-1-1 in their last eight. St Louis is 7-11 in home series openers. Atlanta won four of last six games; they’re 6-12 in home series openers. Over is 5-3 in their last eight games.
Marlins @ Rockies
Phelps is making his first ’16 start; he is 5-5, 2.65 in 54 IP this year, in 50 relief stints. He’s started 59 major league games, 19 LY, when he was 4-8, 4.50 for Miami.
De la Rosa is 1-0, 2.91 in his last two starts; three of his last four went over. Colorado split his six home starts.
Marlins lost five of last seven games; they’re 10-7 in road series openers. Six of last eight Miami games went over. Colorado won 11 of last 14 games; under is 12-5-2 in their last 98 games. Rockies are 9-3 in last 12 home series openers.
Brewers @ Diamondbacks
Anderson is 2-0, 2.70 in his last two starts; he hasn’t finished the 6th inning in any of his last eight starts (over 5-2-1). Milwaukee is 3-6 in his road starts.
Shipley is 1-1, 4.77 in his first two MLB starts (under 2-0).
Brewers are 7-4 in last 11 games, 5-12 in road series openers. Under is 11-6 in their last 17 games. Arizona lost eight of last ten games; they’re 3-15 in home series openers. Last four Diamondback games went over.
Phillies @ Padres
Hellickson is 2-0, 1.83 in his last three starts; seven of his last eight stayed under. Phillies are 5-4 in his road starts.
Friedrich is 0-4, 7.36 in his last six starts (over 10-4). San Diego is 4-2 when he starts at home.
Phillies lost six of last nine road games; they’re 8-10 in road series openers. Three of Phils’ last four games stayed under. San Diego is 8-4 in last 12 home games, 11-7 in home series openers. Under is 9-6 in their last fifteen games.
American League
Indians @ Bronx
Tomlin is 2-1, 3.05 in his last three starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Cleveland is 8-2 in his road starts.
Pineda is 2-1, 2.84 in his last thee starts; six of his last seven stayed under the total. New York is 6-5 in his home starts.
Indians lost three of last four games; they’re 10-8 in road series openers. Last four Cleveland games went over. New York lost six of its last eight games; they’re 10-4 in last 14 home series openers. Under is 11-1 in New York’s last 12 home games.
Twins @ Rays
Santana is 2-2, 2.48 in his last five starts; six of his last seven stayed under. Twins are 2-6 in his road starts.
Snell is 2-0, 2.00 in his last three starts; four of his last five stayed under. Tampa Bay is 2-3 in his home starts.
Twins won five of last seven road games; they’re 6-11 in road series openers. Last six Minnesota games went over. Tampa Bay won six of its last eight games, is 7-11 in home series openers. Under is 8-3 in Rays’ last eleven home games.
Orioles @ White Sox
Gallardo is 0-2, 5.57 in his last six starts; four of his last five stayed under. Orioles are 3-5 in his road starts.
Former Oriole Gonzalez is 1-1, 3.03 in his last five starts; his last three went over total. White Sox split his six home starts.
Orioles won three of last four games, are 8-9 in road series openers. Under is 9-2-1 in their last 12 road games. Chicago is off a 2-6 road trip but they’ve won four in row at home; White Sox are 9-8 in home series openers. Four of last five Chicago games went over.
Rangers @ Astros
Perez is 0-3, 9.42 in his last five starts; six of his last eight road starts went over. Texas is 4-6 in his road starts.
Keuchel is 0-2, 4.15 in his last four starts; four of his last five stayed under. Houston is 4-5 in his home starts.
Rangers won five of last seven games; they lost last five road series openers (8-10). Five of last seven Texas road games stayed under. Houston lost eight of last ten games, is 11-7 in home series openers; under is 13-4-1 in last 18 Astro home games.
Blue Jays @ Royals
Liriano makes his Toronto debut here; he was 1-3, 7.29 in his last four starts for Pittsburgh (under 3-1).
Gee is 0-3, 7.36 in his last three starts; four of his last five starts went over. He is 1-3, 7.11 at home.
Blue Jays are 7-3 in last ten games, 10-7 in road series openers (1-4 in last five). Five of last six Toronto road games stayed under. Kansas City lost 11 of last 15 games; they’re 14-3 in home series openers. Six of their last eight games stayed under.
Angels @ Mariners
Lincecum is 1-5, 10.55 in his last seven starts (over 4-4). He is 0-2, 10.58 in his last three road starts.
Hernandez is 1-0, 5.60 in three starts since coming off DL; three of his last four starts went over. Seattle split his six home starts.
Angels are 6-4 in last ten games, 8-9 in road series openers. Halos’ last three games went over total. Seattle won four of last six home games; they’re 9-8 in home series openers. Five of last seven Mariner home games stayed under.
Interleague
Mets @ Tigers
Syndergaard is 0-2, 4.03 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Mets are 6-2 when he starts on the road.
Verlander is 3-0, 1.80 in his last four starts; his last six stayed under. Tigers won six of his last eight home starts.
Mets lost six of last nine games; they’re 9-8 in road series openers. Five of their last six games went over. Detroit won nine of last ten games; they’re 11-6 in home series openers. Five of Tigers’ last seven games went over.
Cubs @ A’s
Lester is 2-0, 2.55 in his last three starts; five of his last six went over. Cubs are 7-4 in his road starts.
Overton is 1-2, 9.33 in his four starts (over 2-1-1).
Cubs won seven of last eight games; they’re 4-8 in last 12 road series openers. Over is 13-4-1 in their last 18 road games. Oakland lost five of last six games; they’re 7-2 in last nine home series openers. Five of their last six home games stayed under.
Red Sox @ Dodgers
Wright is 4-0, 6.75 in his last six starts; Boston scored 47 runs in those six games. Under is 7-1-1 in his last nine road starts. Boston is 6-4 in his road starts.
Kazmir is 3-1, 3.58 in his last five starts; over is 7-3 in his last ten. Dodgers won five of his last seven home starts.
Red Sox is 4-9 in its last 13 games; under is 11-1 in their last 12 road games. Boston is 10-6 in road series openers. Dodgers are 7-9 in last 16 games, 7-3 in last ten home series openers. Over is 6-2-1 in their last nine road games.
Teams’ record when this pitcher starts
Cin-Pitt: DeSclafani 7-3; Taillon 5-3
SF-Wsh: Samardzija 11-11 (0-3 last 3); Gonzalez 8-13
Atl-StL: De la Cruz 1-2; Garcia 10-11
Mia-Colo: Phelps 0-0; De la Rosa 7-8
Mil-Az: Anderson 8-12; Shipley 1-1
Phil-SD: Hellickson 12-10; Friedrich 7-7
Cle-NY: Tomlin 15-4; Pineda 10-11
Min-TB: Santana 5-15; Snell 3-6
Blt-Chi: Gallardo 8-5; Gonzalez 8-8
Tex-Hst: Perez 12-10; Keuchel 9-13
Tor-KC: Liriano 0-0/9-12; Gee 2-5
LAA-Sea: Lincecum 3-5; Hernandez 7-6
NYM-Det: Syndergaard 13-7; Verlander 13-9
Chi-A’s: Lester 15-6; Overton 2-2
Bos-LA: Wright 13-8; Kazmir 12-9
Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning
Cin-Pitt: DeSclafani 5-10; Taillon 3-8
SF-Wsh: Samardzija 7-22; Gonzalez 6-21
Atl-StL: De la Cruz 0-3; Garcia 8-21
Mia-Colo: Phelps 0-0; De la Rosa 7-15
Mil-Az: Anderson 7-20; Shipley 1-2
Phil-SD: Hellickson 6-22; Friedrich 5-14
Cle-NY: Tomlin 9-19; Pineda 7-21
Min-TB: Santana 6-20; Snell 3-9
Blt-Chi: Gallardo 6-13; Gonzalez 6-16
Tex-Hst: Perez 9-22; Keuchel 5-22
Tor-KC: Liriano 5-21; Gee 4-7
LAA-Sea: Lincecum 3-8; Hernandez 2-13
NYM-Det: Syndergaard 4-20; Verlander 8-22
Chi-A’s: Lester 6-21; Overton 2-4
Bos-LA: Wright 6-21; Kazmir 12-21 (5 of last 7)
Armadillosports.com
MLB: Streak, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
San Francisco at Washington
N.L. West leading San Francisco Giants and N.L. East leading Washington Nationals open a three-game series at Nationals Park.
The Giants have collapsed since the All-Star break with 13 losses in 18 games behind 3.5 runs/game. No reason to think they'll turn things around in the Nation's Capital. San Francisco as a team has had its problems of late in an opposing park with just two wins the past eleven away from home. Giants have certainly followed in that same vein in Washington with the club compiling a 2-10 record the past twelve visits.
Adding to the problem, Giants starter, Jeff Samardzija has fallen on hard times with just one win in six attempts surrendering four or more runs in all but one game. Additionally, Samardzija is not your typical August Guy going 0-7 recently and compiling a 1-9 record his last ten during the month. One final betting nugget. Samardzija has a 1-4 Team Start skid vs Washington including a loss in San Francisco his last outing.
Baltimore at Chicago
Baltimore Orioles and low-scoring games go together like baseball handicapping and baseball betting. In the past twenty-two games Baltimore has played 'Under' 20 times with 2 'Over'. Matching that, Orioles have a 10-1 'Under' streak vs a team with a losing record and have played 'Under' in 7 of 9 on the South Side of Chicago.
Friday's Diamond Notes
By Tony Mejia
VegasInsider.com
Hottest team: Cubs (4-0 last four, 7-1 last eight)
The best team in baseball is at again. Although the Cubs came out of the gate groggy and needed Aroldis Chapman to come fortify the bullpen rotation, all the pieces appear to be in pace to make a run at 100 wins. Currently, Chicago leads all of MLB with a record of 66-41, the only team among the 30 that can boast of a winning percentage of above .600. Three of their last four victories have been by a single run, so Joe Maddon and Co. are definitely getting used to excelling in tight games. The Cubs are in Oakland for a strange three-game series on the west coast before returning home for a nine-game homestand that they're hoping will help pull away the NL Central.
Coldest team: Diamondbacks (0-4 last four, 5-17 last 22)
Although he's Arizona's top pitching prospect by a long shot, the verdict remains out on 24-year-old Braden Shipley, which makes this one interesting. Shipley dominated in L.A. his last time out, holding the Dodgers to only five hits over six scoreless innings. He'll be making his first home start and has the D'Backs (-130) as a decided favorite against the Brewers, who counter with inconsistent righty Chase Anderson.
Hottest pitcher: Justin Verlander (11-6, 3.54 ERA)
There's no denying Verlander's resurgence at this point. Despite dummies wanting to scapegoat supermodel girlfriend Kate Upton due to all the time he spent with her, Verlander righted his own ship, fixing his mechanics and coming up with the right variety in his repertoire to reinvent himself. He's won nine of his last 11 decisions, but will be facing a monster in interleague play, as we'll relay below.
Coldest pitcher: Tim Lincecum (2-5, 8.49 ERA)
You would be hard-pressed to name anyone with tougher luck pitching-wise than the Angels, which explains the Lincecum reclamation project trotting back out there again. There's no question he can still bring it, but it's obvious he's lost most of his mental fortitude on the mound. Fade him while you can. Lincecum hasn't pitched longer than five innings in seven of his eight major-league starts tis season and has given up more than a single run every time out after a successful debut at Oakland. He has won one decision out of his last five and has surrendered a homer in every game this season besides that opener. Lincecum walked a season-high six batters in this last outing against Boston, which sets up Felix Hernandez and Seattle (-175) as a heavy favorite in his fourth start since coming off the disabled list following the All-Star break. He's 1-0 with two no-decisions since returning.
Biggest UNDER run: Orioles (20-2 last 22)
The Orioles' pitching has fallen in line. Credit whoever you want, be it manager Buck Showalter or veteran pitching coach Dave Wallace, guys are taking care of their responsibilities. Despite a 5-3 loss to the Rangers on Thursday, Baltimore continues an excellent run on the mound since guys are stepping up and the bullpen has been lights out. As things stand entering Friday, the Orioles hold first place in the AL East by percentage points.
Biggest OVER run: Twins (6-0 last six, 34-16-4 last 54)
The Twins have gone through multiple runs where they’ve gone cold, but over the last few months, they’ve been by far the most dependable ‘over’ team going. Part of it is an improved and attack, while a brutal bullpen could be to blame for what has transpired the rest of the time. Despite its offensive resurgence, Minnesota owns the worst record in the American League. They’re terrible anyway you slice it beyond engaging in slugfests. This matchup between them and Tampa Bay puts together two of the league's worst teams as they seek to properly finish out the string while improving.
Matchup to watch: Red Sox at Dodgers
These teams haven't played since 2013, so if nothing else, a lack of famiiarity makes this intriguing. Beyond all that, both teams are desperate, battling for wild cards in their respective leagues. Boston re-established control of the second AL wild card, but remains only one-half game ahead Detroit, which lost to the White Sox on Thursday. L.A. finally snapped its losing streak against surging Colorado, but remains two back in the NL West and just three up on Miami and St. Louis for the NL wild cards. With no definitive date set for Clayton Kershaw's return, the Dodgers have to capitalize on their opportunities at home. Talented veteran lefty Scott Kazmir will work against knuckle-baller Steven Wright in an excellent pitching matchup to get things started.
Betcha didn’t know: Noah Syndergaard has already beaten Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta this season, taking the Cubs down 2-1 on July 19 in the pitcher's duel everyone expected. In his first meeting against a Cy Young Award winner, he took down three-time recipient Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers 2-1. He hasn't faced Tim Lincecum or Roy Halladay, once the ace of the team that drafted him with the 38th pick of the 2010 draft, Toronto. He's lost to Madison Bumgarner this season (May 1), but the Giants ace doesn't have a Cy Young Award. Jake Peavy does, but the Mets' Norse horse hasn't faced him in the majors. He's never gone head-to-head with R.A. Dickey, who he was traded for. That makes him perfect against Cy Young winners, which comes to mind since he faces Justin Verlander tonight. He beat Max Scherzer, who won a Cy Young with the Tigers in 2013, on May 17, taking down the Nationals 2-0 while striking out 10 over seven shutout innings. He's never faced CC Sabathia, Johan Santana, The only Cy Young recipient he's ever faced who beat him was Zack Grienke, who won 5-2 for the Dodgers in Game 2 of last year's NLDS after Chase Utley's historic slide took out Ruben Tejada. So, yes, you're reading right. Going into tonight, Syndergaard is perfect in the regular season against Cy Young winners, expanding his myth.
Biggest public favorite: Blue Jays (-130) at Royals
Biggest public underdog: Rangers (+160) at Astros
Biggest line move: Marlins (+115 to -110) at Rockies
MLB Betting Cheat Sheet
By Covers.com
One Giant Series
The San Francisco Giants hold a slim lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers atop a competitive National League West - and expanding that edge could be difficult as the Giants visit the NL East-leading Washington Nationals in a three-game weekend set. Both teams will have their aces at their disposal, with the Nationals sending Stephen Strasburg to the hill Saturday and San Francisco riding Madison Bumgarner in Sunday’s series finale. The teams split an entertaining four-game set at the end of July.
ALCS Rematch
Tensions will be high at Kauffman Stadium as the Toronto Blue Jays visit the defending World Series-champion Kansas City Royals in a rematch of the American League Championship Series. The three-game set will feature the Blue Jays debut of left-hander Francisco Liriano, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline. Liriano has had a dreadful season, and has been particularly wretched of late, losing seven of his last eight starts as the moneyline favorite.
Prospect Showcase
The Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays will both showcase their top pitching prospects this weekend at Tropicana Field. The Rays will send deceptive left-hander Blake Snell to the hill Saturday afternoon; Snell has pitched to the under in five of his last seven starts, and has allowed two or fewer runs in four straight outings. The Twins counter with Jose Berrios on Sunday; he’s 4-0-1 against the total in five major-league starts, thanks in large part to 20 earned runs against over 21 innings.
Hitting Notes
The Minnesota Twins produced the second-most runs of any team in July - and they have outfielder Max Kepler to thank for that. Entering Thursday, Kepler has hit a whopping 13 home runs since July 1 - more than any player in baseball over that span - and has an OPS above 1.000 over that span.
Houston, you have a problem. And it centers around the play of 3B Alex Bregman, who comes into Thursday hitting an abysmal 1-for-32 in his first taste of major-league action. The Astros have faltered in his eight games, going 2-6 SU despite being a favorite in seven of those contests.
Pitching Notes
Thinking about betting on Chicago Cubs lefty Jon Lester to tame the Athletics in Oakland on Friday? Think again. While Lester has been a sensational play at home (6-2, 1.99 ERA), he has stumbled outside Wrigley Field (5-2, 4.03). The over is 8-2 in Lester’s 10 road starts.
Houston fans will be clamoring to see what Joe Musgrove can do for an encore. The 23-year-old racked up eight strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings in his major-league debut Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and has earned himself the start Sunday against Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers.
Totals Trend
Aaron Sanchez has made life miserable for opposing hitters, and he’s making things difficult for his Toronto Blue Jays, as well. They’re sending him to the bullpen shortly, but not before he takes the hill Saturday. Sanchez has pitched to the under in 15 of his 21 starts so far this season.
Friday's Weather Report
There is a chance of some thunderstorms in D.C. for the opener of the series between the Nats and Giants. There will also be a 5-10 mph breeze blowing out to left field at Nationals Park. The total for this one is set at 8.5.
There will be thunderstorms in the Pittsburgh area Friday night for the evening game between the Pirates and the visiting Cincinnati Reds. There will be a 25 percent chance of some wet stuff falling from the sky and a 5-10 mph wind blowing from right to left. The total is set at 8.0.
Detroit will have a 40 percent chance of rain and some thunderstorms in the area as the Tigers welcome the New York Mets to town for a weekend of interleague action. There will also be a 10-15 mph wind blowing from right to left. The total is set at 7.5.
There will be three cities with games Friday night that will be impacted by a system sweeping through the Midwest carrying with it a 40 percent chance of rain and some potential electricity in the air. Toronto at Kansas City (Total: 9.0), Atlanta at St. Louis (Total: 8.5), and Miami at Colorado (Total: 11.5) could all see weather delays and wet conditions.
Giants, Nats clash in D.C.
By Sportsbook.ag
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (62-46) at WASHINGTON NATIONALS (64-44)
First pitch: Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Nationals -140, Giants +125 Total: 8.5 (Over -115)
Two of the National League’s best teams meet when the Nationals host the Giants on Friday night.
Both San Francisco and Washington are leading their divisions coming into this game, but things can change very quickly in this league.
The Dodgers are threatening in the NL West and the Giants know that they need to rattle off a few victories just to give themselves some breathing room.
The Nationals, meanwhile, can never feel safe, as they have a history of collapsing and the Mets and Marlins both have full intentions of making up ground in the next few weeks.
With that being said, this is a big Friday night matchup and both teams can use a win. It also happens to be a game that could potentially be a preview of the NLCS.
The starters in this game are set to be RHP Jeff Samardzija (9-7, 4.30 ERA, 99 K) for San Francisco and LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-9, 4.29 ERA, 115 K) for Washington. Both guys have had their fair share of poor outings on the year, but both are capable of pitching well on any given night.
Jeff Samardzija has struggled quite a bit recently, as he has now allowed four or more earned runs in each of his past three starts. He also has failed to pitch into the seventh inning in each of his past four starts and eight of his past 10.
The Giants gave him a huge deal in the offseason and are expecting him to be a lot better than he has been. Samardzija will need to work deeper into this game and it’s also crucial that he keeps his walks down.
He has walked two or more batters in six of the past nine games and that is not a very good number. He also faced this Nationals team in his most recent trip to the mound and will need to be better this time around.
Offensively, C Buster Posey, SS Brandon Crawford and OF Angel Pagan are the guys to watch out for in this one. The three of them are a combined 13-for-44 with two homers and five RBI against Gio Gonzalez in their careers and should be able to find some success against him on Friday.
Gio Gonzalez has had an up-and-down season, but he has really pitched well for Washington recently. Gonzalez has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his past five starts.
He also was excellent in his most recent start, allowing just one earned run in six innings of work against the Giants on Jul. 31. That is good news for Gonzalez, as he is facing that same team on Friday.
One thing Gonzalez can do better is avoiding walks. He has walked two or more batters in eight of the past nine games and would be doing himself a huge favor by throwing more strikes. This lineup should have no trouble providing Gonzalez with some run support.
Guys like 2B Daniel Murphy, C Wilson Ramos and OF Jayson Werth have all had a ton of success against Samardzija in their careers. They are a combined 17-for-48 with four homers and 12 RBI against him and should have no issues hitting him again on Friday.