National League
Reds @ Pirates
Bailey allowed two runs in 5.2 IP (89 PT) in his first ’16 start.
Nova makes his Pirate debut; he was 1-1, 3.64 in his last three starts for New York. Four of his last five starts stayed under.
Reds are 12-7 in last 19 games (7-0 in game after those seven losses); under is 6-1-1 in their last eight games. Pittsburgh lost five of last seven games; four of last five Pittsburgh home games went over.
Giants @ Nationals
Cain is 2-0, 3.48 in his last two starts; three of his last four went over. Giants lost four of his five road starts.
Strasburg is 5-1, 1.99 in his last six starts; over is 15-3-1 in his last 19 starts. Washington is 10-1 in his home starts.
Giants lost ten of last 12 road games; seven of their last nine games stayed under. Washington won seven of its last nine games; four of last six Washington home games went over.
Braves @ Cardinals
Hernandez (formerly known as Fausto Carmona) is making his first ’16 start; he was 3-5, 4.36 n 11 starts for Houston LY, is 70-98, 4.58 in 217 major league starts. In minors this year, he is 4-6, 4.60 in 16 AAA starts.
Martinez is 3-0, 3.18 in his last four starts; under is 7-1-1 in his last nine. Cardinals are 2-7 in his last nine home starts.
Cardinals lost four of last six games, over is 6-2-1 in their last nine. Atlanta lost six of last eight road games; under is 5-2 in their last seven road games.
Marlins @ Rockies
Cashner is 1-0, 2.66 in his last four starts; four of his last five went over.
Bettis is 3-0, 3.09 in his last five starts; five of his last seven home starts went over.
Marlins lost five of last eight games; six of last nine Miami games went over. Colorado won 11 of last 15 games; under is 13-5-2 in their last 20 games.
Brewers @ Diamondbacks
Garza is 1-4, 8.04 in his last six starts (under 4-3-2). Milwaukee is 0-6 in his road starts.
Corbin is 0-4, 10.22 in his last five starts; his last seven went over the total. Arizona is 1-8 when he starts at home.
Brewers lost three of last four games; under is 12-6 in their last 18 games. Arizona lost eight of last 11 games; four of last five Diamondback games went over.
Phillies @ Padres
Thompson makes his MLB debut here; he is 11-5, 2.50 in 21 AAA starts this year.
Clemens is 0-2, 5.23 in two starts for San Diego (under 2-0).
Phillies are 5-3 in last eight games; over is 10-6 in their last 16 road games. San Diego is 4-6 in its last ten games; three of their last four games went over.
American League
Indians @ Bronx
Kluber is 2-0, 1.24 in his last four starts; over is 6-2-1 in his last nine. Indians are 5-6 in his road starts.
Sabathia is 1-2, 5.92 in his last four starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight. He is 0-3, 7.19 in his last three home starts.
Indians lost four of last five games; last five Cleveland games went over. New York is 8-3 in its last 11 home games; under is 11-2 in their last 13 home games.
Twins @ Rays
Berrios is 2-1, 8.57 in his five starts; Twins scored 34 runs in those five games (over 3-1-1).
Archer is 1-4, 4.54 in his last five starts; under is 7-3 in his last ten. Tampa Bay lost his last seven home starts.
Twins won six of last eight road games; last seven Minnesota games went over. Tampa Bay won six of its last nine games, under is 8-4 in Rays’ last dozen home games.
Orioles @ White Sox
Tillman is 4-1, 2.79 in his last six starts; under is 5-0-2 in his last seven. Orioles are 6-3 in his road starts.
Rodon is 0-4, 5.49 in his last seven starts; his last three went over. White Sox are 3-5 when he starts at home.
Orioles won four of last five games; under is 9-3-1 in their last 13 road games. Chicago lost seven of last nine games; five of last six White Sox games went over.
Rangers @ Astros
Harrell is 2-0, 2.25 in his last two starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five starts.
Fister is 2-1, 3.57 in his last four starts; four of his last six home starts went over. Houston is 6-3 when he starts at home.
Rangers lost three of last four games; six of last eight Texas road games stayed under. Houston lost eight of last 11 games; under is 14-4-1 in last 19 Astro home games.
Blue Jays @ Royals
Sanchez is 4-0, 1.50 in his last six starts; under is 6-0-1 in his last seven. Toronto is 6-4 in his road starts.
Duffy is 3-0, 2.67 in his last four starts; Royals won seven of his eight home starts. Under is 4-2-1 in his last seven starts.
Blue Jays are 8-3 in last eleven games; six of last seven Toronto road games stayed under. Kansas City lost 12 of last 16 games; seven of their last nine games stayed under.
Angels @ Mariners
Skaggs is 1-0, 0.00 (12.1 IP) in his first two ’16 starts (over 1-1).
Walker is 2-1, 3.42 in his last five starts (under 4-1); Seattle is 5-4 in his home starts.
Angels are 6-4 in last ten games; Halos’ last four games went over total. Seattle won four of last six home games; five of last eight Mariner home games stayed under.
Interleague
Mets @ Tigers
Verrett is 0-4, 6.32 in his last eight starts (under 5-4-1). Mets are 2-4 in his road starts.
Boyd is 2-0, 3.10 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Detroit won his last three home starts.
Mets lost seven of last ten games; five of their last seven games went over. Detroit won 10 of last 11 games; five of Tigers’ last eight games went over.
Cubs @ A’s
Arrieta is 0-3, 4.88 in his last five starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Chicago lost his last three road outings.
Gray is 1-2, 10.68 in his last three starts; over is 4-1-2 in his last seven. Oakland lost five of his last six home starts.
Cubs won eight of last nine games; over is 14-4-1 in their last 19 road games. Oakland lost six of last seven games; five of their last seven home games stayed under.
Red Sox @ Dodgers
Rodriguez is 1-1, 2.63 in his last four starts (under 4-0); Boston won four of his five road starts.
Stripling is 2-3, 6.31 in his last five starts (under 5-2-1); Dodgers split his four home starts.
Red Sox are 5-9 in its last 14 games; under is 11-2 in their last 13 road games. Dodgers are 7-10 in last 17 games; under is 21-9 in their last 30 home games.
Teams’ record when this pitcher starts
Cin-Pitt: Bailey 1-0; Nova 0-0/7-8
SF-Wsh: Cain 6-8; Strasburg 18-2
Atl-StL: Hernandez 0-0; Martinez 10-10
Mia-Colo: Cashner 1-0/7-9; Bettis 13-9
Mil-Az: Garza 3-6; Corbin 7-15 (0-5 last 5)
Phil-SD: Thompson 0-0; Clemens 0-2/1-1
Cle-NY: Kluber 10-11; Sabathia 10-9
Min-TB: Berrios 2-3; Archer 6-17
Blt-Chi: Tillman 19-4; Rodon 5-12
Tex-Hst: Harrell 1-0/3-2; Fister 14-7
Tor-KC: Sanchez 13-8; Duffy 12-3 (7-0 last 7)
LAA-Sea: Skaggs 1-1; Walker 6-10
NYM-Det: Verrett 3-7; Boyd 4-5
Chi-A’s: Arrieta 13-8 (3-8 last 11); Gray 7-13
Bos-LA: Rodriguez 4-6; Stripling 4-4
Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning
Cin-Pitt: Bailey 1-1; Nova 4-15
SF-Wsh: Cain 2-14; Strasburg 6-20
Atl-StL: Hernandez 0-0; Martinez 2-20
Mia-Colo: Cashner 8-16; Bettis 7-22
Mil-Az: Garza 3-9; Corbin 10-22
Phil-SD: Thompson 0-0; Clemens 0-4
Cle-NY: Kluber 5-21; Sabathia 4-19 (4 of last 7)
Min-TB: Berrios 2-5; Archer 10-23
Blt-Chi: Tillman 7-23; Rodon 6-17
Tex-Hst: Harrell 3-6; Fister 3-21
Tor-KC: Sanchez 4-21; Duffy 3-15
LAA-Sea: Skaggs 0-2; Walker 2-16
NYM-Det: Verrett 1-10; Boyd 1-9
Chi-A’s: Arrieta 3-21; Gray 4-20
Bos-LA: Rodriguez 3-10; Stripling 2-8
Umpires
Cin-Pitt: Four of last five Basner games stayed under.
SF-Wsh: Last four Torres games stayed under total.
Atl-StL: Three of last four Layne games stayed under.
Mia-Colo: Underdogs won six of last ten Fagan games.
Mil-Az: Three of last four Tumpane games stayed under.
Phil-SD: Eight of last nine Everitt games stayed under.
Cle-NY: Eight of last ten Davidson games went over.
Min-TB: Last three Cuzzi games went over total.
Blt-Chi: Over is 15-2 in last 17 Wegner games.
Tex-Hst: Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Porter games.
Tor-KC: Over is 7-0-1 in last eight Gorman games.
LAA-Sea: Seven of last ten Hoye games went over.
NYM-Det: Under is 4-1-1 in last six Randazzo games.
Chi-A’s: Underdogs won four of last five Demuth games.
Bos-LA: Both Whitson games this season went over total.
Armadillosports.com
MLB: Streak, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
San Francisco vs Washington
When home cookin' baseball betting trends point in one direction the baseball handicapping industry takes notice. And, that's the case Saturday when Washington Nationals take on San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park.
Stephen Strasburg presently among the front-runners for the NL Cy Young award with 15 wins in 20 assignments gets the call for Washington. The Nationals have been virtually unbeatable as home favorites with their ace hurler. In his eleven home starts this year the Nationals are 10-1 and the club have emerged victorious in 17 of his last 19 games as chalk in front of the home audience.
On the other side, Giants have not done well in an opposing park handing the ball to Matt Cain. In his four starts the result has been one win, four losses. That sub-par performance is not limited to this season, the Giants are 1-7 in his last 8 tossing in unfriendly territory.
No surprise to see the Nationals opening -$2.50 moneyline home favorite at Bovada.lv.
For those inclined to lay the juice, Strasburg has been Washington's 'August Guy'. In his last 12 as a home favorite during said month the Nationals are a sparkling 11-1. Additionally, Nats have won each of Starsburg's three career home starts vs San Francisco.
Saturday's Diamond Notes
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Hottest team: Nationals (7-3 last 10)
Washington has caught fire since blowing a late lead in a 7-6 setback at Cleveland on July 26. The Nationals have won seven of their past nine games, including three victories over the reeling Giants. Washington’s offense continue to hit the ball well by knocking out two homers in Friday’s 5-1 triumph over San Francisco to pick up its fourth consecutive win. The Nationals have been inconsistent at home recently by splitting their last 16 games in D.C., but hope for another victory against San Francisco when ace Stephen Strasburg takes the mound tonight, searching for his 16th win of the season.
Coldest team: Mets (3-7 last 10)
New York has slipped to third place in the National League East behind Miami after dropping seven of its past 10 contests. The Mets fell short against the Tigers in Friday’s 4-3 setback, as New York owns an 0-10 record in its past 10 games off a victory. Will things turn around tonight in the Motor City? The Mets have won six straight on the road off a loss, which is a good sign. However, right-hander Logan Verrett is winless in his last two outings in spite of the Mets holding leads in the eighth inning or later in losses to the Cardinals and Yankees.
Hottest pitcher: Danny Duffy, Royals (7-1, 2.98 ERA)
The two-year reign with Kansas City as the top dog in the American League will come to an end this season with the Royals sitting seven games below the .500 mark. The only bright spot in their pitching staff is Duffy, who is coming off an incredible performance in his past outing at Tampa Bay, striking out 16 batters and allowing one hit in eight innings of a 3-0 shutout. The Royals have won six straight starts made by Duffy, including four consecutive victories at home. Kansas City knocked out Toronto in the ALCS last season, but owns an 0-4 record against the Blue Jays this season as Duffy tries to put the Royals in the win column.
Coldest pitcher: Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks (4-10, 5.30 ERA)
Arizona snapped a four-game losing streak in Friday’s walk-off triumph over Milwaukee, as the D-backs improved to 18-38 at home this season. Corbin hasn’t been successful at all at Chase Field this season with Arizona posting a 1-9 record in his 10 home starts, while allowing 18 earned runs in his past three home defeats. Arizona is 0-5 in Corbin’s previous five trips to the mound, including a 9-4 setback at Milwaukee on July 26 in which he gave up four earned runs in five innings.
Biggest UNDER run: Rangers (6-0 last six)
Texas suffered only its second loss in 11 tries this season against Houston on Friday, getting blanked, 5-0 by Dallas Keuchel. The Rangers made plenty of moves at the trade deadline to bolster in their lineup, but Texas has plated eight runs in the past four games. Texas has finished UNDER the total in six of its previous seven road contests, as recently acquired Lucas Harrell heads to the mound tonight. Harrell is coming off a victory in his Texas debut, while finishing UNDER the total of 10 in a 5-3 win over Kansas City. Another UNDER may be in order for Harrell and the Rangers as the right-hander has given up one earned run or less in two of three road starts this season.
Biggest OVER run: Twins (7-0 last seven)
Minnesota’s offense has heated up of late by scoring at least six runs in five of the past six games, including six in last night’s 6-2 victory at Tampa Bay. The Twins have scored 41 runs in four wins on their current road trip at Cleveland and Tampa Bay, while sailing OVER the total in eight of the past nine contests away from Target Field. Rookie right-hander Jose Berrios heads to the mound for Minnesota tonight as the Twins have put together a 4-0-1 mark to the OVER in his five starts, including a pair of easy OVERS in his last two road outings.
Matchup to watch: Marlins vs. Rockies
Colorado has steamrolled its way into the NL Wild Card race by winning 11 of 13 games heading into its weekend series with Miami. However, the Rockies couldn’t hold onto a late 3-1 lead in Friday’s 5-3 setback to the Marlins as Miami scored four runs in the ninth inning. Miami improved to 4-1 in five games against Colorado this season as Andrew Cashner makes his second start for the Marlins since getting acquired from the Padres in late July. The last time Cashner took the mound at Coors Field on June 10, the right-hander exited after only six pitches due to a neck injury.
Chad Bettis counters for Colorado, as the right-hander has tossed at least six innings in six consecutive outings. The Rockies have performed well when Bettis takes the hill as Colorado owns an 8-2 record in his last 10 starts, including five straight victories at Coors Field. Colorado has struggled in Game 2’s of a home series recently, posting a 2-4 record in the last six tries.
Betcha didn’t know: The Orioles have been terrific when Chris Tillman takes the mound this season, going 19-4 in his 23 starts. Since the start of July, Tillman has finished UNDER the total in six consecutive outings, while going 7-2 to the UNDER in his previous nine road starts. The White Sox have hit the OVER in five of their past six Game 2’s of a home series, while scoring at least five runs in three of their last four home contests.
Biggest public favorite: Cardinals (-270) vs. Braves
Biggest public underdog: Royals (+120) vs. Blue Jays
Biggest line move: Pirates (-125 to -145) vs. Reds
MLB Report - Saturday
By Steve Merril
Covers.com
Giants at Nationals (-225, 8.5)
The Washington Nationals will start Stephen Strasburg tonight. My numbers project a sterling outing for him. San Francisco will counter with Matt Cain who projects to have a rough outing. Overall, Strasburg has a fantastic 2.63 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in his 20 starts this year and he is backed by an excellent Washington bullpen that has a 2.99 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in all games, including a 2.36 ERA and 0.98 WHIP at home. This line is high for a good reason, so the best option is using the Nationals -1.5 -115 on the run line.
Braves at Cardinals (-255, 8.5)
The St. Louis Cardinals have a very favorable pitching matchup tonight at home against the Atlanta Braves. Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez projects to have a fantastic outing while Braves starter Roberto Hernandez projects to get rocked based on my numbers. Martinez has an excellent 2.99 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in his 20 starts this season. He is backed by a St. Louis bullpen that has a 3.39 ERA and a solid 1.17 WHIP this year. Atlanta remains the worst offensive team in the league and they are averaging just 3.3 runs per game on the road with a paltry .236 batting average. This game is a complete mismatch, so the best value is with the Cardinals -1.5 -115 on the run line.