National League
Braves @ Pirates
Perez is 1-0, 3.54 in four starts, three of which went over.
Niese is 0-2, 7.56 in his last three starts; five of his seven starts went over.
Pirates lost eight of last 12 games (over 8-3-1). Atlanta lost eight of its last 10 games; five of its last six gaes stayed under.
Marlins @ Phillies
Conley is 2-1, 2.16 in his last three starts (over 3-2-2).
Eickhoff is 0-4, 5.97 in his last five starts; his last three starts stayed under.
Miami is 14-6 in its last 20 games; over is 10-3-1 in their last 13 road games. Phillies won six of their last eight games- five of their last six home games stayed under.
American League
Red Sox @ Royals
Porcello is 6-1, 3.11 so far this season; four of his last six starts stayed under.
Ventura is 1-2, 8.36 in his last three starts (under 4-3).
Boston won seven of its last eight games; its last seven games went over. Royals are 4-7 in their last 11 games; their last three games stayed under.
Rays @ Jays
Smyly is 0-2, 5.63 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over.
Happ is 5-0, 1.91 in his last six starts (over 3-3-1).
Tampa Bay lost five of its last six games; four of its last five stayed under. Blue Jays lost three of last four games (over 3-1).
Twins @ Tigers
Berrios is 1-1, 6.28 in three starts; he lasted less than six innings in all three. .
Zimmerman is 5-2, 1.88 in seven starts, five of which stayed under.
Minnesota is 4-16 on the road, but won last two; over is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Detroit lost 11 of last 13 games; seven of its last nine went over.
Rangers @ A's
Holland allowed 16 runs in five IP in his last two starts (over 3-1-1 in last five).
Manaea is 0-1, 11.37 in his first three MLB starts (over 3-0).
Texas won eight of last nine games; seven of its last eight games went over. A's lost 10 of last 12 games; six of their last seven games went over.
Interleague
Reds @ Indians
Lamb is 0-0, 1.80 in two starts this year (under 1-0-1).
Anderson is 0-3, 7.56 in five starts, four of which went over.
Reds lost five of their last seven games; under is 3-1-1 in their last five. Indians lost three of last four games; over is 6-3-1 in their last ten.
Bronx @ Diamondbacks
Green is making first MLB start; he was 2-3, 1.22 in seven AAA starts this year.
Ray is 0-2, 6.95 in his last four starts (under 5-2).
Bronx is 7-3 in its last ten games; six of its last seven games went over. Arizona lost its last five games, all by 1 or 2 runs; its last four games stayed under the total.
Angels @ Dodgers
Shoemaker is 0-4, 12.06 in his last four starts (under 3-1-1 in last five).
Maeda is 0-2, 5.09 in his last three starts (under 4-2-1).
Angels won their last three games; three of their last four games went over. Dodgers won three of last four games; under is 6-3-1 in their last ten.
Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:
Atl-Pitt-- Perez 3-1; Niese 5-2
Mia-Phil-- Conley 4-3; Eickhoff 2-5
Bos-KC-- Porcello 6-1; Ventura 5-2
TB-Tor-- Smyly 3-4; Happ 5-2
Minn-Det-- Berrios 1-2; Zimmerman 5-2
Tex-A's-- Holland 4-3; Manaea 1-2
Cin-Clev-- Lamb 0-2; Anderson 0-5
NY-Az-- Green 0-0; Ray 2-5
LAA-LA-- Shoemaker 1-5; Maeda 3-4
Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:
Atl-Pitt-- Perez 1-4; Niese 1-7
Mia-Phil-- Conley 2-7; Eickhoff 3-7
Bos-KC-- Porcello 2-7; Ventura 3-7
TB-Tor-- Smyly 0-7; Happ 2-7
Minn-Det-- Berrios 0-3; Zimmerman 1-6
Tex-A's-- Holland 2-7; Manaea 1-3
Cin-Clev-- Lamb 2-2; Anderson 3-5
NY-Az-- Green 0-0; Ray 0-7
LAA-LA-- Shoemaker 3-6; Maeda 0-7
Armadillosports.com
MLB: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Tampa Bay at Toronto - Series
The upcoming three game series between Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays should grab the attention of 'Under' gamblers. Blue Jays unable to find a consistent stroke at the plate crossing 4.1 runs/game have played 'Under' posted totals 61.5 percent of the time recording 24 'Under', 12 'Over', 3 'Push'. Tampa Bay's hit-and-miss offense batting 2.22 platting 3.6 runs/game have certainly followed in that same vein going 20-11-4 'Under' on the campaign.
The series 14-7-5 'Under', Blue Jays 4-9-1 'Under' for the month of May, Rays with a penchant for making 'Under' bettors happy in an opposing park at 13-4-1 'Under', the arrow is clearly pointing toward 'Under' when the clubs collide north of the border to open the week. Another possitive for 'Under' gamblers, Jays are on a 11-0 'Under' streak vs the division, Rays a 7-1-1 'Under' stretch vs the A.L. East.
Monday's Diamond Notes
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Hottest team: Yankees (7-3 last 10)
New York is still sitting in last place of the AL East in spite of a 7-3 homestand. The Yankees outlasted the White Sox on Sunday, 7-5 to grab two of three from the AL Central leaders. New York’s offense woke up at home by scoring at least six runs in five of those victories, while the ‘over’ cashed seven times in the past 10 games. The Yankees travel to Arizona for their first game against an NL opponent, as right-hander Chad Green makes his Major League debut for New York on the mound.
Coldest team: Tigers (2-11 last 13)
Detroit avoided the sweep at Baltimore on Sunday with a 6-5 victory, but the Tigers finished its Beltway road trip against the Nationals and Orioles at 2-5. The Tigers have played 12 of their last 15 games away from Comerica Park as the next nine games will take place in the Motor City against the Twins, Rays, and Phillies. Jordan Zimmermann began the season at 5-0 for Detroit, but lost his last two starts to the Rangers and Nationals. In both of those outings, Zimmermann was opposed by Cole Hamels and Max Scherzer, as the Tigers’ ace is opposed by Minnesota rookie Jose Berrios in Monday’s series opener.
Hottest pitcher: J.A. Happ, Blue Jays (5-0, 2.05 ERA)
The Toronto southpaw has put together seven quality starts this season, while coming with one out of a complete game shutout in his last outing at San Francisco. In all three home victories for Happ, the Blue Jays have scored 29 runs, while Toronto is hosting Tampa Bay for the first time this season after the first seven meetings took place at Tropicana Field. The two no-decisions for Happ this season came against the Rays, both Toronto losses as the Jays’ bullpen gave up a lead in each of those defeats.
Coldest pitcher: Cody Anderson, Indians (0-3, 7.31 ERA)
Anderson makes his first start since a May 7 home loss to the Royals. The right-hander is winless in five starts this season, while allowing four earned runs or more in each of his past five starts. Cleveland won five of six matchups with Cincinnati last season, while the Indians have won four consecutive home series openers, which bodes well for the struggling Anderson.
Biggest UNDER run: Phillies (4-1-1 last six at home)
Philadelphia allowed its most runs in the last 13 games in a 9-4 home defeat to Cincinnati on Sunday. The Phillies eclipsed the ‘over’ at home for the first time in the past six games, while snapping a six-game winning streak at Citizens Bank Park (all wins by one run each). In the previous five home victories, the Phillies allowed three runs or less, going 4-0-1 to the ‘under’ prior to Cincinnati’s blowout on Sunday. Jerad Eickhoff takes the mound for the Phillies against the Marlins, as Philadelphia owns a 5-1 mark to the ‘under’ in his previous six outings.
Biggest OVER run: Red Sox (7-0 last seven)
Boston’s offense is coming off an incredible homestand by plating 73 runs in seven games, while going ‘over’ the total in each contest. The Red Sox have finished ‘under’ the total in four of the past six games away from Fenway Park as they travel to Kansas City to begin a three-game series. The Royals were riding an 8-1 mark to the ‘over’ prior to three consecutive ‘unders’ cashed in this past weekend’s series against the Braves. In seven meetings last season between the Red Sox and Royals, the ‘over’ finished 5-1-1.
Matchup to watch: Angels vs. Dodgers
The first edition of the Freeway Series takes place at Chavez Ravine as the Angels look to stay on fire. Following an 0-6 homestand against the Rays and Cardinals, the Halos bounced back in a big way by sweeping the AL West-leading Mariners at Safeco Field, capped off by a victory over Felix Hernandez on Sunday. The Dodgers captured five of six matchups from their Southern California counterparts last season, including a three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers’ right-hander Kenta Maeda has struggled of late by going 0-2 in his last three starts, while allowing 10 earned runs and 15 hits in this span. Matt Shoemaker has failed to win in his last four outings for the Angels, while failing to last past the fourth innings in three straight starts.
Betcha didn’t know: Oakland returns home after rallying past Tampa Bay on Sunday to host Texas. The Athletics own a 1-4 record in home series openers, compared to a 5-2 mark in Game 1’s of a road series. Derek Holland gets the ball for Texas, as the Rangers are 3-1 in his last four starts at the Coliseum, but Texas has compiled a 1-5 record in his past six outings on the road since September 2015.
Biggest public favorite: Dodgers (-180) vs. Angels
Biggest public underdog: Rays (+115) at Blue Jays
Biggest line move: Red Sox (-105 to -110) at Royals
MLB Betting Cheat Sheet
Covers.com
Beasts of the East
Excluding the hideous Atlanta Braves, the other four teams in the National League East all have winning records and are separated by just 2.5 games. These four will match up in a pair of series this week with Philadelphia hosting Miami (starting Monday) and the Mets hosting Washington (starting Tuesday).
Who would have guessed that the Phillies would have a better record than the Mets at this point? I talked about the Phils last week and two more one-run victories this weekend improves their record to 14-3 in such games. That’s how they have one more win overall than the reigning Senior Circuit champs despite being 67-runs worse in terms of scoring differential. I repeat – the Phillies winning ways will not continue.
Home not so sweet
Arizona just suffered the embarrassing fate of being swept in a four-game series at home (all losses by two runs or less to the Giants). Ironically, the Diamondbacks had swept a four-game set in San Francisco earlier this year. But this note is about the Diamondbacks and their awful 5-16 home record (Only Atlanta is worse at 2-17).
The last time this team won at Chase Field was April 28. This week sees them welcome in a Yankees team that has now won its last three series and is 7-3 its last 10 games overall. It will be the first Interleague series of the season for both teams.
City of Angels (or Dodgers)?
The longest active win streak in the American League is three games and that belongs to the Angels after they swept the Mariners over the weekend. But it’s going to be a tough assignment for the Halos having to head across town to Chavez Ravine to face Kenta Maeda and Clayton Kershaw on Monday and Tuesday. One benefit for Monday is that the Dodgers will be coming off the Sunday Night game. Will that be enough for the road team, however?
Hitting notes
For the first time all season, the Minnesota Twins have won a road series (took two of three over the weekend in Cleveland). But that’s no thanks to a couple of struggling hitters in the lineup. Joe Mauer went 0-for-4 Sunday and is now 6-for-37 (.162) his last 11 games. Then there’s Brian Dozier, who was given the day off yesterday because he’s batting only .218 for the season. Don’t be surprised if skipper Paul Molitor continues to employ some unique lineups moving forward.
Minnesota will be in Detroit this week. The Tigers are coming off a 2-5 road trip, but have the top two hitters in the American League in their lineup: Victor Martinez (.352) and Nick Castellanos (.344). When the Tigers swept the Twins earlier this year, those two combined to go 15 of 24 at the plate.
Pitching Notes
While Cleveland can’t seem to win much when Corey Kluber pitches (2-6 team start record), they have yet to win at all in Cody Anderson’s five starts. That’s all on the pitcher though as Anderson has a 7.56 ERA and 1.799 WHIP. He has allowed 19 runs in his last four starts, never making it through the sixth inning. Anderson starts against Cincinnati at home Monday.
Another Monday starter to beware of is Oakland’s Sean Manaea. To say his three starts have not gone well would be putting it mildly. He’s allowed 16 runs in 12 2-3 innings with half of those coming in a disastrous outing last Tuesday which spanned only 2 2-3 innings. Manaea has allowed at least one home run in every start and has an 11.37 ERA and 2.052. Texas has to be chomping at the bit to face him.
Total trend
There has been no easier bet over the past week than betting Boston Over the total. The Red Sox’s last seven games have all gone that way with the club scoring an incredible 73 runs themselves. Up next for the BoSox is Kansas City, which just faced the lowest-scoring team in all of baseball (Atlanta) and saw all three games stay Under the total.
Injury Notes
The Detroit Tigers activated outfielder Cameron Maybin from the 15-day DL in time for Monday's game against the Twins. He has missed the entire season thus far after suffering a non-displaced fracture of his left wrist.
A's catcher Stephen Vogt is nursing a left thumb injury and is questionable to play Monday against the Rangers.
Rangers' second baseman Rougned Odor, Jays' third baseman Josh Donaldson, Jays' outfielder Jose Bautista, and Jays relief pitcher Jesse Chavez are all listed as questionable Monday due to the threat of possible suspension. All four were central figures in Sunday's massive (but awesome) brawl in Texas.
Ryan Braun of the Brewers has missed the last two games due to a sore right wrist and is questionable to suit up Tuesday against the Cubs.
Monday's Weather Report
There is a 90 percent chance of thunderstorms in Kansas City when the Royal and Red Sox will be attempting to kick off their series at Kauffman Stadium. There is also expected to be a stiff 10 mph breeze blowing in from right field. The total is currently set at 7.5.
The wind is going to be blowing straight out to right field (15 mph) at Progressive Field in Cleveland where the Indians will be hosting the Cincinnati Reds. The total is currently set at 8.5.
They're looking at about a 30 percent chance of rain in Detroit this evening where the Tigers will be hosting the road-hot Minnesota Twins. There will also be a 15 mph wind blowing from right field to left field. The total for tonight is set at 8.5.
Royals, Red Sox square off
By Sportsbook.ag
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (18-19) at BOSTON RED SOX (24-14)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Boston -125, Kansas City +115, Line: 7.5
Rick Porcello and the Red Sox kick off a three-game series with Yordano Ventura and the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
The Red Sox (24-14), tied with the Orioles for first place in the American League East, took three out of four from the last-place Astros this past week and have won seven of eight overall.
The Royals (18-19) took two of three from the lowly Braves this past weekend. Prior to that set, Kansas City had lost four out of five.
On the mound for the Red Sox in the series opener will be RHP Rick Porcello (6-1, 3.11 ERA, 46 SO, 10 BB, 6 HR in 46 1/3 IP), who hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start since his first outing of the season.
He’ll be opposed by RHP Yordano Ventura (3-2, 4.62 ERA, 26 SO, 28 BB, 4 HR, 37 IP), who has had lots of trouble finding the strike zone.
This will be the first meeting of the season between these two clubs, though Boston has gone 10-4 against the Royals (including a 5-2 mark at Kauffman Stadium) since the start of 2014.
Nine of 13 games between these teams have gone OVER THE TOTAL in that period (including six of seven in Kansas City).
The Red Sox have gone 10-6 away from Fenway Park in 2016, and the Royals have posted an 11-6 home record.
Kansas City has struggled to score this season (131 runs – 13th in AL), and they don’t have much power (33 HR – tied for 13th in AL).
Ned Yost’s best hitter this season, far and away, has been 1B Eric Hosmer (.336, 6 HR, 17 RBI, .392 OBP).
CF Lorenzo Cain (.274, 5 HR, 18 RBI, .338 OBP) has gotten hot of late, but Alex Gordon (.222, 4 HR, 10 RBI, .331 OBP) and DH Kendrys Morales (.201, 5 HR, 16 RBI, .257 OBP) haven’t been themselves at the plate. Kansas City has seen a ton of Porcello, who pitched in Detroit from 2009-14.
Gordon is 11-for-41 against him with two home runs and seven RBIs, and Hosmer is 9-for-26 with a pair of homers.
2B Omar Infante (.236, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .268 OBP) is 6-for-12 against the 27-year-old and Cain is 5-for-13, though SS Alcides Escobar (.264, 0 HR, 11 RBI, .298 OBP) has really struggled against the New Jersey native, going 6-for-34, as has Morales (5-for-25 with 1 HR, 1 2B and 6 SO).
In three career starts against the Red Sox, Ventura has gone 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA.
Unlike the Royals, the Red Sox can really hit. They lead the American League in runs with 229 (the next closest team, the Rangers, have 179), average (.298) and on-base percentage (.359).
An incredible five starters—SS Xander Bogaerts (.338, 4 HR, 22 RBI, .390 OBP), CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.331, 6 HR, 30 RBI, .374 OBP), DH David Ortiz (.320, 10 HR, 33 RBI, .405 OBP), 1B Hanley Ramirez (.319, 4 HR, 23 RBI, .367 OBP) and 3B Travis Shaw (.317, 5 HR, 26 RBI, .391 OBP)—are hitting over .300, and 2B Dustin Pedroia (.299, 6 HR, 20 RBI, .349 OBP) is right behind them.
No one on John Farrell’s roster has more than seven career at-bats against Ventura. Bogaerts and Bradley Jr. each have a pair of hits off him in seven at-bats, and Ortiz is 2-for-5.
RF Mookie Betts (.262, 6 HR, 27 RBI, .306 OBP) is 2-for-6 against the 24-year-old righty with a double and an RBI. In 20 career starts against the Royals, Porcello is 8-6 with a 4.58 ERA.