Baseball Information
National League
Giants @ Cubs
Vogelsong is making first start since July 11; he is 1-1, 3.74 in his last four starts (over 2-2).
Lester is 2-0, 1.61 in his last three starts; under is 9-0-1 in his last ten.
Giants won four of last six games with Chicago; seven of last ten in series stayed under the total. SF is 6-5 in its last 11 games; over is 4-1-1 in its last six. Cubs won seven of their last eight games (under 5-2-1).
Dodgers @ Pirates
Kershaw is 4-0, 0.00 in his last four starts (34 IP); his last seven stayed under.
Cole is 3-2, 3.05 in his last five starts; his last three stayed under.
Dodgers lost six of last eight games with Pittsburgh; over is 6-3 in last nine series games. LA won six of its last seven games (over 4-2-1). Pirates won six of last nine games; three of last four stayed under.
Rockies @ Nationals
de la Rosa is 1-1, 6.26 in his last five starts; last three went over.
Zimmerman is 0-2, 5.09 in his last four starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five.
Colorado lost five of its last six games with Washington; Rockies lost six of last eight games; four of their last five went over. Nationals lost five of last six games, with last four going over the total.
Marlins @ Braves
Fernandez is 4-0, 2.13 in his last six starts; seven of his last nine went over.
Teheran is 1-2, 4.55 in his last five starts; his last four at home stayed under.
Braves lost eight of last 11 games (over 5-0-2 in last seven). Marlins lost 11 of last 13 games (over 5-1 in last six). Atlanta won eight of last ten games with Miami; five of last six went over the total.
Cardinals @ Brewers
Lynn is 2-1, 2.88 in his last four starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten.
Cravy is 0-2, 2.77 in his two starts (under 2-0); Brewers scored total of three runs in the two games.
Cardinals won six of last eight games with Milwaukee (under 5-3); they won three of last four games overall (under 4-0). Brewers won last three games, scoring 22 runs (under 3-1 in last four).
Reds @ Diamondbacks
Iglesias is 1-2, 5.72 in his last five starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight.
Anderson was 0-2, 9.00 in his last three starts before going on DL; five of his last eight starts stayed under the total.
Cincinnati won six of last nine games with Arizona (under 6-2 in last eight); Reds lost three of last four games; under is 8-1-1 in their last ten. Arizona won seven of last eleven games; eight of its last nine went over.
Phillies @ Padres
Nola is 2-1, 3.38 in his three starts (over 2-1).
Shields is 1-1, 2.35 in his last four starts; under is 2-1-1 in his last four home outings.
Philly lost three of last four games with San Diego (over 4-1 in last five); they lost three of last four games overall-- over is 3-1-2 in their last six. Padres lost last three games, allowing 22 runs; eight of their last nine went over.
American League
Red Sox @ Tigers
Kelly is 1-2, 9.87 in his last four starts (over 3-1).
Norris is 1-0, 1.04 in his last three starts; his last five stayed under.
Red Sox won three of last four games with Detroit; under is 5-3-1 in last nine series games. Boston lost three of last four games overall (under 3-1). Tigers won three of last four games- three of their last four stayed under.
Blue Jays @ Bronx
Dickey is 3-0, 1.54 in his last three starts; four of his last five stayed under.
Eovaldi is 6-0, 3.06 in his last eight starts; three of his last four went over.
Blue Jays won five in row, eight of last nine games; they scored 18 runs in last two games, but three of their last five went under. Toronto won three of last four games with Bronx, which won four of its last six (under 5-2 in last 7).
Twins @ Indians
Pelfrey is 0-0, 2.03 in his last two starts (under 3-1 in last four).
Anderson is 0-2, 9.00 in his last three starts (under 4-3 in his starts).
Minnesota won three of last four games with Cleveland; seven of last nine in series went over total. Twins lost last five games, outscored 30-13; five of their last seven games stayed under. Indians lost four of their last five games; six of their last seven stayed under.
White Sox @ Royals
Danks is 2-0, 3.18 in his last four starts; his last three on road went over.
Volquez is 2-2, 2.77 in his last four starts (under 3-1).
Chicago lost three of last four games with Kansas City; under is 6-1-1 in last eight series games. White Sox lost five of last seven games overall; their last ten all went over the total. Royals lost six of last eight games; three of their last four stayed under.
Orioles @ Angels
Gausman is 1-0, 1.23 in his last two starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six.
Heaney is 5-1, 2.04 in his last six starts; four of his last five went over.
Orioles lost three of last four games with the Angels; eight of last nine went under the total. Baltimore is 7-3 in its last ten games; over is 4-2-1 in its last seven. Halos lost seven of last nine games (over 6-4 in last ten).
Astros @ A's
Keuchel is 5-2, 2.36 in his last seven starts (under 4-3).
Gray is 1-0, 2.17 in his last three starts; under is 5-0-1 in his last six.
Houston won seven of last eight games with Oakland; five of last seven went over the total. Astros lost three of last four games overall; they're 3-13 in last 16 road games. A's lost ten of last 14 games, losing last two days in extra innings; nine of those 14 games stayed under.
Rangers @ Mariners
Hamels is 1-1, 7.43 in his last four starts (over 3-1).
Iwakuma is 0-1, 3.80 in his last three starts; four of his last five went under.
Seattle won its last five games with Texas; seven of last eight stayed under. Mariners won three of last four games; their last three went over. Rangers are 7-1 in last eight games; three of their last four stayed under.
Interleague
Mets @ Rays
deGrom is 2-0, 1.44 in his last four starts; five of his last seven went under.
Odorizzi is 1-0, 3.18 in his last three starts; six of his last nine stayed under.
Mets won five of last seven games with Tampa Bay; last four games in series went over total. New York won its last six games, allowing 13 runs; three of last four went over. Tampa Bay won three of its last fourl five of their last six went over the total.
Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
SF-Chi-- Vogelsong 9-7; Lester 11-10
LA-Pitt-- Kershaw 12-9; Cole 15-6
Col-Wash-- de la Rosa 9-9; Zimmerman 13-9
Mia-Atl-- Fernandez 5-1; Teheran 12-10
StL-Mil-- Lynn 12-8; Cravy 0-2
Cin-Az-- Ig1esias 3-5; Anderson 7-11
Phil-SD-- Nola 2-1; Shields 11-12 (2-9 last 11)
Bos-Det-- Kelly 6-11; Norris 3-3, 1-0
Tor-NY-- Dickey Eovaldi 14-7
Min-Clev-- Pelfrey 10-10 (1-6 last 7); Anderson 4-3
Chi-KC-- Danks 10-10; Volquez 15-7
Balt-LAA-- Gausman 3-3; Heaney 6-1
Tex-Sea-- Hamels 10-11, 0-1; Iwakuma 4-5
Hst-A's-- Keuchel 15-7; Gray 14-8
NY-TB-- deGrom 13-7; Odorizzi 9-8
Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
SF-Chi-- Vogelsong 3-16; Lester 7-22
LA-Pitt-- Kershaw 4-21; Cole 7-21
Col-Wash-- de la Rosa 6-18; Zimmerman 7-22
Mia-Atl-- Fernandez 1-6; Teheran 8-22
StL-Mil-- Lynn 7-20; Cravy 0-2
Cin-Az-- Ig1esias 1-8; Anderson 7-18
Phil-SD-- Nola 2-3; Shields 6-22
Bos-Det-- Kelly 8-17; Norris 3-6
Tor-NY-- Dickey Eovaldi 7-21
Min-Clev-- Pelfrey 3-20; Anderson 2-7
Chi-KC-- Danks 7-20; Volquez 4-22
Balt-LAA-- Gausman 2-6; Heaney 0-7
Tex-Sea-- Hamels 6-21; Iwakuma 4-9
Hst-A's-- Keuchel 4-22; Gray 7-22
NY-TB-- deGrom 6-20; Odorizzi 5-17
Armadillosports.com
Friday MLB Thoughts
Dave Essler
Dodgers-Pirates: Dodgers had a tougher series with the Phillies and their bullpen just is terrible lately, so it's all on Kershaw. I do realize that he's got this streak going, but - it has been against the Angels (who don't see him), the Mets (twice), Philadelphia, and Washington. The Pirates are obviously a far better offensive team. So, getting Cole at home at that price is the only bet I could make, although the Dodgers (in a limited sample) have some knocks against him. If the totals' going to stay at 6 then backing the Pirates and the better pen is simply the "+EV" thing to do.
Nationals-Rockies: Another situation that tempts me to take Colorado for no other reason than they're rested, and Arizona has given the Nationals all they wanted. DeLaRosa can be very good in a larger park (like Washington's, for example) and his numbers bear that out. The Nats have hit him a bit, but if they Nats aren't hitting - it's about "now" for me. Zimmerman just hasn't been that dominant this season, but no trusting the Rockies bullpen and trying not to back teams that just have no reason to be there, if we took Colorodo the F5 +.5 might be the play.
Miami-Atlanta: I guess getting Fernandez at only -135 is the right thing to do, or is it. He's obviously fresh given his time off, but also threw 112 pitches last game and that's just not a good thing very often, unless your David Price who does that every outing. Teheran is the Braves best option and at home a very good one. It's not like the Fish have the probability of superior run support behind Jose, so I could make a great argument for the Braves RL.
Brewers-Cardinals: Milwaukee's bats woke up on Thursday and there's probably no other team in the league that'd rather beat them than the Brewers. Travel day/night for the Cardinals after the Red game, and although they won they had all of five hits. Lance Lynn or not, I can't take the Cardinals as tough as it might be to bet ON Lohse. The Cardinals bullpen ha been used a fair bit in Cincinnati, too.
Reds-DBacks: Arizona in a tough travel spot, flying back from Washington, and a long trip - from Seattle to Houston to Washington. That would probably preclude me from taking them, even against Iglesias. Pollock and Goldschmidt were rested in the last game in DC - but that's probably not enough. Iglesias looked good against the Pirates, but threw 108 pitches. Ray - you just never know. The Reds - you just never know. We've been far more profitable waiting to see how the first game of a certain series plays out and then firing.
Padres-Phillies: With the way the Phillies have been hitting, yet losing, I am surprised to even see Shields at -160 here, given that the Padres are getting their ass kicked in Milwaukee and flying back home, and they appear to be one of the teams that's mentally on the way out. I don't care who is pitching for the Phillies (yes, I do know who is pitching) but it would be the Phillies, and if they want to leave -160 out there then the RL ought to be affordable.
Boston-Detroit: Can we really think about betting on Boston and Joe Kelly? I doubt I can, but also doubt I could lay the price for the Tigers, because let's not forget if this game comes down to a bullpen issue. Any decision would be based of of how Boston plays in the Bronx and what mindset they leave with. As the season winds down, the mindset will be more important to me than it was in the first half, because in theory you're getting 100% every night til the break. Now, you just don't know if a team falls behind early if they give a sh*t.
Yankees-Jays: The Yankees are becoming a very public team of late now that they're winning and somewhat healthy, while the Jays have fallen out of favor a bit since last week and of course are now on the road. Eovaldi's claim to fame has been is performances at home this season, but I'd be really concerned about him throwing 117 pitches last game. For him, that's a ton. But, seeing how Jose and Edwin have never seen him, perhaps a F5 under here. Dickey has looked good, but against the Royals who don't see him and the Phillies, as well as at Oakland where his flyballs are more likely to stay in the park. Best bullpen probably wins, and we'll see how they fare Thursday.
Cleveland-Minnesota: Indeed the Indians are rested, but does it matter and do they care? No Kipnis and no real heart from day one with this team. Yes, they'll likely fare better against a RHP but Pelfrey is sneaky at times. The Twins play late in Toronto and travel, so they'll have that disadvantage, but they'll try and that's all I want my money behind at this point, if we're playing teams that are out of contention.
White Sox-Royals: Well, another rested team against a team that lost on Thursday in tough fashion and is flying home. It;s be tough to back Danks, but he IS a lefty and that's been, as we know, the Kansas City vulnerability. The Royals' pen has been imploding of late, so IMO it's all up to Volquez, who the White Sox beat a few weeks back. Danks, however, has been terrible on the road. Real terrible. But, Danks has been REAL good against the Royals. I could easily see firing the White Sox RL here, and no chance of laying -160 or more with the Royals - not in this spot.
Orioles-Angels: Normally we'd (I'd) look to back the Orioles against a LHP, but the O's have been very inconsistent lately. All season, actually, and they may be coming to the conclusion that with the Jays between them and the Yankees in the AL East, and the Rays right there with them, that's it likely a futile effort from here on out. Gausman has been awful in three road starts (NYY, MIN, TOR) so I doubt I could go Baltimore here. The Angels struggled to beat Cleveland and it's getting close to make or break time for them, and getting swept at Houston may have done something to their psyche, at least in the short term. Under.
Oakland-Houston: Keuchel has had his vulnerabilities lately, especially on the road. It almost doesn't matter how well the Astros have or have not hit Gray, getting him at home at that number is just a done deal, unless something happens in Thursday's game that changes my thinking.
Mets-Rays: Mets are going to get a DH, obviously, but the downside there is DeGrom doesn't get to pitch around a pitcher. Not overly sure it matters and since I cannot see a ton of runs being scored here - lineups will be the key for me. Cuddyer is supposed to be back - we shall see.
Friday Scouting Edge
By Coach Fletcher
Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals finally won a big game yesterday beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-3. For the moment they didn’t fall any farther behind the Mets in the chase for the NL East crown. Jordan Zimmerman goes Friday. Zimmerman is 8-7 with a 3.54 era on the season. His problem has been the long ball. He has allowed 7 round trippers in his last 6 games. The Mets roughed him up for 3 bombs in a single game. The arrival of the Rockies was great news for Zimmerman. In 8 starts against Colorado Zimmerman is 5-0 with a 2.20 era. Five Rockies are hitting .300 or more versus Zimmerman with DJ LeMahieu leading the way at .625. Nolan Arenado is the only Rockie to take Zimmerman deep.
Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees
The Toronto Blue Jays have not made the playoffs for 22 years. They have players younger than that. With their offense in beast mode, Toronto hopes to make up some ground in this series. That may not be easy to do. With 13 games left between the 2 clubs this season, time is getting short and the NYY have dominated the series between these 2 teams. The Yanks have won 4 consecutive series since 2011 and 12 of 14 series since 2001. Toronto has one plus going for them in the starting pitcher R.A. Dickey. The veteran knuckleballer has plenty of experience with the Yankees, starting 12 times against them and pitching in relief 6 times. Dickey has been pretty good versus the Bombers going 7-3. Dickey is 6-10 for Toronto with a 4.06 era. Only 2 Yankees, Jacoby Ellsbury and Garrett Jones, are hitting above .300 against Dickey. The Yankees go with Nathan Eovaldi, 11-2 with a 4.30 era. However, Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitziki are the only Jays that have hit better than .300 against Eovaldi.
Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers
The Red Sox started 3 consecutive rookie pitchers this week. A solid starting rotation isn’t one of their strengths. Right hander Joe Kelly goes to the bump Friday. Kelly is 3-6 with a bulging 6.11 era. Kelly hasn’t made it through 6 innings in 5 consecutive starts. In his last 4 starts Kelly has a horrific 9.35 era. He’s lasted 5 innings or less in 8 starts. In his last start against Tampa Bay, Kelly made it through 5 innings giving up 5 runs and 9 hits. In his previous start the White Sox touched him up for 4 runs and 7 hits in 3 1/3 innings. Kelly has not faced the Tigers yet in his career. The Tigers counter with recently acquired Daniel Morris whose Tiger debut was a 7 1/3 inning success where he gave up only 4 hits and 1 run.
Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks
This will be Anderson’s first start since he went to the disabled list on July 19. He was taken out of the rotation due to inflammation in his right triceps. Anderson and the team hope he’s cured his problem. Prior to his time on the disabled list, Anderson was hit hard. In his last 5 starts before being shelved, Anderson’s era was a hefty 9.12. Anderson’s career mark is 13-11 with a 4.19 era and a 1.33 whip. This year Chase is 4-4 with a 4.37 era which was seriously affected by those last 5 starts. Anderson’s numbers are very consistent so we should get a good idea if he has recovered. He’s 1-2 this year with a 4.53 era in 8 starts. At night he is 3-4 with a 4.33 era. He was at his best in May when he was 1-0 in 6 starts with an era of just 2.65. In fact, after his June 17th start, before the 5 game implosion, Anderson was sitting at a 2.84 era in 79 1/3 innings. In an odd move, the D-backs opened up a spot for Anderson by dropping Zack Godley to Double-A. Godley was 3-0 with Arizona with a 1.50 era in 18 innings of work. Arizona also recalled Allen Webster who had been 1-1 with a 7.11 era in 19 innings.
Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics
Two of MLB’s better pitchers face off in Oakland. Dallas Keuchel, 13-5 with a 2.35 era goes up against the A’s Sonny Gray, 11-4 with a 2.12 era. Keuchel has done something fairly incredible for the Astros. He’s pitched at least 6 innings in 33 consecutive starts. That’s a franchise record and the longest such streak in the MLB currently. Dallas has gone 5-2 with a 2.36 era in his last 7 starts and 9-5 with a 2.82 era in his last 15 starts. He is 9-2 with a 2.36 era at night. His only vulnerability, and it isn’t much, is his 3-5 record and 3.66 era on the road. Sonny Gray is 11-4 with a 2.12 era this year and 30-17 with a 2.69 era in his career. He is 3-1 with a 2.47 era in his last 7 and 7-4 with a 2.34 era in his last 15. He’s actually been least effective (for him) at home where he is 3-3 with a 2.69 era. He’s 6-3 with a 2.78 era at night. The total for this one opened at 6.5 but was quickly bet down to 6.
MLB: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Colorado at Washington
Washington will start Jordan Zimmermann when they host Colorado Friday, which does not spell good things for Rockies. Nationals have won 6 of Zimmermann's last 7 starts vs Colorado. Adding to those numbers, Nationals have won 8-of-11 as home favorites with their righthander. This being the opener of a home series is yet another nod towards the Nationals, since the team has compiled a 12-4 record since the start of campaign when playing GM-1 of a home series.
Toronto at New York
The eyes of baseball fans as well as those with a penchant for sports gaming will be on the Yankee-Blue Jay series this weekend. The Yankees have surprised most with their impressive play this year as they lead the East by 4.5 games over Toronto. Yankees head into this crucial series on a slight downer winning 4 of the last 8 but remain a strong 13-6 since the break behind 6.2 runs/game. Joe Girardi's crew has been solid on home field (32-18) and have a smart 16-6 record at home vs a team with a winning record.
Meanwhile, Jays head into New York on a roll winning 8 of 9 and like Yankees have won 13-of-19 since the mid-summer classic. Jays however have struggled in unfriendly territory this year (22-31) and are 11-19 away vs a team with a winning record. Adding to the problem is Toronto as a team has had its issues in the Big Apple with just 7 wins in the last 33 games at Yankee Stadium. Improving those numbers will be a challenge but not out of the question. Despite Jays being 0-4 w/Dickey in the Bronx the knuckler in a groove last three (3-0, 0.77 ERA) could notch his first 'W' in New York. As for GM-2, got to like Jays chances with Price. All he has done is guide his teams to six straight wins in Yankees backyard. Finally, can't count out Jays in the finale with Estrada. The hurler has allowed 2 or less runs in five of his last six starts.