National League
Cubs @ Pirates
Lackey is 0-3, 7.15 in his last four starts; Cubs are 5-4 in his road starts. Under is 7-4 in his last eleven starts.
Niese is 1-4, 7.67 in his last five starts; six of his last seven stayed under. Pirates are 4-4 in his home starts.
Pirates won nine of last ten games, over is 11-6 in their last 17 games. Cubs are 5-15 in last 20 games, over is 10-1-1 in their last twelve road games.
Reds @ Marlins
Reed is 0-3, 10.80 in his four starts (over 4-0) this year. .
Koehler is 0-1, 7.07 in his last three starts; six of his last eight went over. Miami is 2-5 in his home starts.
Reds lost 13 of last 17 games, over is 12-6 in their last 18 games. Miami is 10-3 in its last 13 home games, their last four games stayed under the total.
Nationals @ Mets
Gonzalez is 1-7, 8.01 in his last nine starts (over 7-3 in his last ten). Washington is 2-6 in his road outings. .
Matz is 0-3, 5.87 in his last six starts (under 8-2 in last ten). Mets are 4-4 in Matz' home starts. .
Washington won three of its last four games; over is 14-7 in their last 21 road games. Mets won ten of last 12 home games, under is 14-6-2 in last 22 New York games.
Phillies @ Rockies
Eflin is 1-1, 2.70 in his last four starts (over 3-2).
Chatwood is 2-0, 3.80 in his last four starts; under is 12-3 in his starts. Colorado 3-4 in his home starts. .
Philly won nine of its last 12 games; over is 16-8 in their last 24 road games. Colorado lost eight of last 11 games, over is 7-3 in last ten games at Coors Field. .
Padres @ Dodgers
Friedrich is 1-3, 9.00 in his last four starts; eight of his last nine went over. .
Maeda is 1-2, 5.40 in his last three starts; five of his last seven stayed under. Dodgers are 3-6 in his home starts.
Padres are 11-8 in last 19 games, over is 15-6-1 in their last 22 games. Los Angeles lost three of last five games; ten of last thirteen games at Dodger Stadium stayed under.
Diamondbacks @ Giants
Bradley is 0-0, 4.76 in his last three starts; five of his last six went over. Arizona won four of his five road starts.
Bumgarner is 1-2, 2.70 in his last four starts; five of his last seven stayed under total. Giants are 6-4 in his home starts.
Arizona lost 11 of last 13 games, over is 11-3-1 in their last 15 games. Giants won seven of last nine games, seven of last 11 San Francisco home games went over.
American League
Angels @ Orioles
Lincecum is 0-2, 10.50 in his last three starts (over 2-2). .
Tillman is 4-1, 4.00 in his last six starts (under 12-6). Orioles are 11-0 in his home starts.
Angels won four of last five games, over is 10-6 in their last 16 games. Baltimore lost six of last nine games; five of last seven Oriole games went over the total.
Tigers @ Blue Jays
Sanchez is 0-5, 6.87 in his last seven starts (over 9-2-1). Detroit lost his last five starts on the road.
Dickey is 2-3, 4.55 in his last five starts (under 6-2-1 in his last nine). Toronto is 1-8 in his home starts. .
Tigers lost four of last six games, under is 6-2 in their last eight games. Toronto is 17-7 in last 24 home games, five of last six Blue Jay games stayed under.
Rays @ Red Sox
Odorizzi is 0-2, 6.33 in his last four starts; Rays are 6-2 in his road starts. Five of his last six starts went over the total.
Price is 0-2, 7.02 in his last three starts; under is 6-1-1 in his last eight. Boston is 5-5 in his home starts. .
Tampa Bay lost 21 of last 24 games, over is 11-7 in Rays' last 18 road games. Red Sox won seven of last nine at home, over is 5-1-1 in last seven Boston games.
New York @ Indians
Tanaka is 3-0, 3.25 in his last four starts, three of which went over. New York is 5-3 in his road starts.
Carrasco is 3-0, 0.81 in his last three starts; five of his last six stayed under. Cleveland won all five of his home starts.
New York is 8-13 in its last 21 road games, ten of last 12 Bronx road games went over total. Indians won 17 of last 22 games, seven of last eight Cleveland games went over.
Twins @ Rangers
Milone is 1-2, 6.55 in his seven starts (over 4-3). Home side won all seven of his starts. .
Griffin is 2-0, 3.00 in his last seven starts (over 4-2-1). Texas scored 27 runs and won all three of his home starts. .
Minnesota won six of its last eight games; over is 23-9-2 in their last 34 road games. Rangers lost eight of last 11 games, over is 7-0-1 in its last eight Texas games.
A's @ Astros
Manaea is 0-3, 11.66 in his three road starts. Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Manaea starts.
Keuchel is 3-0, 4.42 in his last three starts (under 3-1 in last four). Houston is 3-4 in his home outings.
A's lost seven of last ten games, over is 8-4 in Oakland's last 12 road games. Houston won 17 of its last 23 games, under is 12-4 in Astros' last 16 home games.
Mariners @ Royals
Montgomery is making first '16 start; he was 4-6, 4.60 in 16 MLB starts LY. He is 2-3, 2.15 in 50.1 IP in majors this year (30 relief stints).
Gee is 2-2, 6.52 in his four starts (over 2-2), last of which was May 31.
Mariners lost 11 of last 12 road games; 11 of last 12 Seattle road games stayed under. . Royals lost six of last nine games; last four Royal games stayed under.
Interleague
Braves @ White Sox
Foltynewicz is 1-2, 5.79 in his last five starts (under 4-3-1).
Shields is 2-0, 3.06 in his last three starts (over 6-0 with Chicago). White Sox won his last three home outings.
Atlanta lost five of its last seven games, under is 10-3 in last 13 Atlanta road games. White Sox won six of last nine at home, six of last seven Chicago home tilts went over.
Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:
Chi-Pitt-- Lackey 9-8 (0-4 last 4); Niese 9-8
Cin-Mia-- Reed 0-4; Koehler 6-11
Wsh-NY-- Gonzalez 6-11 (1-8 last 9); Matz 9-6
Phil-Col-- Eflin 2-3; Chatwood 10-5
StL-Mil-- Leake 7-10; Guerra 10-2
SD-LA-- Friedrich 5-5; Maeda 9-8
Az-SF-- Bradley 5-5; Bumgarner 12-6
LA-Balt-- Lincecum 2-2; Tillman 15-3
Det-Tor-- Sanchez 3-9; Dickey 6-12
TB-Bos-- Odorizzi 8-10; Price 10-8
NY-Clev-- Tanaka 12-5; Carrasco 9-2
Min-Tex-- Milone 3-4; Griffin 7-2
A's-Hst-- Manaea 5-6; Keuchel 8-10
Sea-KC-- Montgomery 0-0; Gee 2-2
Atl-Chi-- Foltynewicz 3-5; Shields 3-3/2-9
Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:
Chi-Pitt-- Lackey 5-17; Niese 3-17
Cin-Mia-- Reed 4-4; Koehler 6-17
Wsh-NY-- Gonzalez 4-17; Matz 3-15
Phil-Col-- Eflin 3-5; Chatwood 6-15 (4 of last 5)
StL-Mil-- Leake 6-17; Guerra 2-12
SD-LA-- Friedrich 3-10; Maeda 4-17 (4 of last 7)
Az-SF-- Bradley 3-10; Bumgarner 3-18
LA-Balt-- Lincecum 2-4; Tillman 5-18 (3 of last 3)
Det-Tor-- Sanchez 5-12; Dickey 6-18
TB-Bos-- Odorizzi 2-18; Price 7-18
NY-Clev-- Tanaka 2-17; Carrasco 2-11
Min-Tex-- Milone 0-7; Griffin 1-9
A's-Hst-- Manaea 1-11; Keuchel 4-18
Sea-KC-- Montgomery 0-0; Gee 1-4
Atl-Chi-- Foltynewicz 3-8; Shields 8-17
Umpires
Chi-Pitt-- Last five Rackley games went over.
Cin-Mia-- Home side won eight of last ten May games.
Wsh-NY-- Favorites won nine of last 12 Hudson games.
Phil-Col-- Favorites won six of last seven Woodring games.
StL-Mil-- Four of last five Morales games stayed under.
SD-LA-- Four of last five Drake games stayed under.
Az-SF-- Eight of last nine Dimuro games went over.
LA-Balt-- Nine of last eleven Timmons games went over.
Det-Tor-- Underdogs won seven of last 11 Nauert games.
TB-Bos-- Underdogs are 8-8 in Nelson games this year.
NY-Clev-- Last five DeJesus games went over the total.
Min-Tex-- Over is 9-1-1 in last eleven Knight games.
A's-Hst-- Underdogs won last four Carapazza games.
Sea-KC-- Five of last seven Culbreth games stayed under.
Atl-Chi-- Five of last six LBarrett games went over total.
Armadillosports.com
MLB: Streak, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Washington at New York
A series finale between NY Mets and Washington Nationals features a matchup of struggling southpaws in Steven Matz and Gio Gonzalez. - New York's Steven Matz carrying a 7-4 record, 3.54 ERA is winless in seven trips to the mound with his team 2-5 over the span. Matz's last victory came against these same Nationals back on May 25th when the southpaw tossed eigh innings of shutout ball striking out seven while walking just one batter.
Gonzalez struggling his last nine starts, recording 1 win, 8 losses allowing 4 or more runs in six of the nine games heads to the hill 4-8 on the campaign with a 4.79 ERA. Gonzales last faced Mets on May 23rd in one of his worst starts of the season getting roughed up for 3 yard-ball 7 runs in a loss.
Niether hurler provides much confidence but Nationals handing the ball to Gonzalez does serve as a bigger red flag. That's because Nationals have a 1-5 skid in Gonzales' last six in an opposing park, 0-3 slide in road series-enders with the southpaw and are 0-4 in his recent matinee starts. Adding to the problem is Washington as a team has had its obsticles on the road facing a lefty (1-4) while Mets have enjoyed success at home recently vs a portsider (5-1).
Sunday's Diamond Notes
By Joe Williams
VegasInsider.com
Hottest team: Pirates (9-1 past 10)
The Pittsburgh Pirates are hurtling toward the All-Star break with nine wins over their past 10 games, including a 5-1 mark in their past six home games and 5-1 record in their past six divisional outings, too. The Bucs have also started to pick up the pace against the 'good' teams, going 6-1 in their past seven contests against teams with a winning overall record. After losing seven in a row at home against the Cubs, the Pirates have won the first two games in this series to turn things around somewhat, beating both Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester. The Cubs are in a hard tailspin (see below).
Coldest team: Cubs (1-9 past 10)
The Cubs were humming right along through the middle of June, posting a 47-20 record. Since the last time they faced the Pirates they have won just five games in the past 20 outings. The Cubs will take their third crack at a left-handed starting pitcher in this series after losing the first two vs. LHP. Chicago is also a dismal 2-14 in their past 16 outings against teams with a winning overall record, and they have dropped six in a row on the road. Lately John Lackey hasn't been the answer, either, as Chicago has lost the past four with Lackey on the hill. The Cubs are also 0-5 in their past six away from the Friendly Confines.
Hottest pitcher: Chris Tillman, Orioles (11-2, 3.55 ERA)
Tillman faces an ultra-favorable matchup against the Angels, who lost hot-hitting CJ Cron to a broken hand earlier in this series. The Halos are also starting Tim Lincecum, who has managed an 0-2 record and 10.50 ERA over the past three outings. The O's are 7-3 in their past 10 games against a right-handed starter, and 8-1 in their past nine against losing teams. In addition, the O's are 18-4 in their past 22 with Tillman toeing the slab, while going 21-6 in his past 27 starts at Oriole Park against a team with a losing overall record.
Coldest pitcher: Archie Bradley, Arizona (3-4, 4.81 ERA)
Bradley has won just once over his past seven starts dating back to May 29, and it doesn't look like things will turn around Sunday in San Francisco. He allowed five earned runs, seven hits and four walks in just 4 1/3 innings in his first outing in San Francisco back on April 18. The Snakes have managed just two wins in their past 13 games overall, and just 1-5 in their past six against teams with a winning overall record. And they're just 2-5 in Bradley's past seven outings, so don't expect a turnaround in this final game before the All-Star break.
Biggest UNDER run: Rockies (8-2 past 10)
The 'under' has been the play lately for the Rockies, hitting in eight of their past 10 games, including seven straight matchups against a right-handed starter. The 'under' is also a frequent play when Tyler Chatwood gets the ball, cashing in each of his past four starts at Coors Field, and six of his past eight outings overall. Couple that with the fact the 'under' has hit in 12 of the past 17 games for Philadelphia against NL West foes, and 4-1 in their past five games overall, and Sunday's line of 12 looks a tad bit on the high side.
Biggest OVER run: Diamondbacks (12-3 past 15)
The D-Backs have had the 'over' cashing frequently over the past few weeks, including 5-1 in their past six outings on the road. The 'over' has hit in eight of their past nine games overall, and 15 of their past 18 games inside the National League West. As far as Bradley is concerned, the 'over' is 14-2-1 in his past 17 starts overall, 7-2 in his past nine on the road and a perfect 8-0 in his past eight assignments against divisional foes.
Matchup to watch: Rangers vs. Twins
Regardless of pitching matchup, games between the Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins have been barn burners. Texas bats have come alive recently, as they have five or more runs in six of their past eight games, with the 'over' going 6-1-1 during the impressive stretch. The Rangers are also averaging 6.0 runs per game over their past seven at Globe Life Park in Arlington while allowing 8.9 runs per game over the past eight. Minnesota's young offense has also been coming alive, especially against Texas pitching. The Twins are averaging 9.0 runs per game over the past five against the Rangers, posting a 4-1 record during the span.
Betcha didn’t know: The Giants have won 22 of their past 27 games inside the National League West division, while going 4-1 in Madison Bumgarner's past five starts against division rivals. The Giants are also an impressive 11-3 in MadBum's past 14 starts overall, while San Francisco has consistently cashed against right-handed pitching, too. The Giants are 9-4 in their past 13 vs. RHP, and 37-18 in their past 55 home games against righties. The Giants have won eight of their past nine games against the Diamondbacks, although Arizona is 10-3 in their past 13 trips to AT&T, and the Giants are 0-4 in MadBum's past four home assignments against the Snakes.
Biggest public favorite: Giants (-225) vs. Diamondbacks
Biggest public underdog: Pirates (+145) vs. Cubs
Biggest line move: Angels (+200 to +180) at Orioles
Giants battle D-backs
By Sportsbook.ag
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (38-51) at SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (56-33)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Arizona +200, San Francisco -240, Total: 7
Game 1: San Francisco 6 Arizona 2
Game 2: San Francisco 4 Arizona 2
Madison Bumgarner and the Giants will be looking to win their final game before the All-Star Break when they host the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
The Giants have been one of the best teams in baseball throughout the first half of the season and they’ll be hoping to head into the All-Star Break with some momentum. They’ll be feeling pretty good about their chances to do so, as LHP Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 2.09 ERA, 132 K) will be on the mound for the team. Bumgarner has really been lights out this season for San Francisco, allowing two or fewer earned runs in 14 of his 18 appearances.
The Giants will, however, be going up against a talented pitcher for the Diamondbacks, as RHP Archie Bradley (3-4, 4.81 ERA, 60 K) will be on the mound for Arizona. The Diamondbacks have had a disappointing first half of the year, but they’ll certainly take a lot of pride in beating this Giants team. They’ll also be out to prove that they can beat a pitcher like Bumgarner on national television.
It will, however, be hard with OF A.J. Pollock (Elbow) still sidelined. He is one of Arizona’s best hitters and it’s not definite that he will return at any point this season, but he did begin throwing last Monday.
Archie Bradley has had an up-and-down season for the Diamondbacks, but he will need to be on his game on Sunday. He’s facing a dangerous San Francisco lineup in this game, so he must limit his mistakes in this one. That is not something he did in his last start, allowing five earned runs in six innings against the Padres on Jul. 4. Bradley did, however, allow three or less earned runs in his three previous starts and will be hoping he can perform like that once again. He certainly knows how to miss bats, but his control is an issue and he is prone to letting up homers.
Offensively, two guys to keep an eye on in this game are 1B Paul Goldschmidt and C Wellington Castillo. Goldschmidt is one of the best hitters in the game and is 13-for-41 with two homers and six RBI against Bumgarner in his career. He has flown under the radar all season, so he’ll be hoping to make a splash on the big stage on Sunday. Castillo, meanwhile, is 5-for-19 with two homers and five RBI against Bumgarner in his career. He has had a good season for Arizona and will be hoping to provide some power in this game.
As previously mentioned, Bumgarner has been an absolute beast for the Giants this season. Not only has he allowed two or fewer runs in 14 of his 18 starts, but he has also kept his opponents scoreless in four of those outings. In his only other start against the Diamondbacks this season, Bumgarner allowed just two earned runs in seven innings of work. He struck out eight batters in that game, but his teammates did not provide him with any run support. The Giants ended up losing that one, but they’ll be hoping for a better result this time around.
San Francisco’s lineup should have no problems getting to Bradley though. The Giants got seven hits and five runs in 4.1 innings the last time they faced Bradley and a similar result would likely mean a victory with Bumgarner on the mound. C Buster Posey and OF Angel Pagan are two bats to keep an eye on for San Francisco. Both guys are 2-for-5 against Bradley in their careers and will be looking to do damage on Sunday.
Sunday Night Baseball Betting Preview
By Covers.com
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants (A: +200, H: -250, Total: 7.0)
San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner is set to make his regular start in Sunday’s series finale against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, which means the 26-year-old won’t be pitching in Tuesday’s All-Star Game in San Diego. Bumgarner was named to the National League All-Star roster for the fourth time in his career but decided against working on one day’s rest and was replaced by Bartolo Colon of the New York Mets.
The Giants moved a season-high 23 games over .500 with Saturday’s 4-2 victory over struggling Arizona, which has lost 11 of its last 13 contests. The Diamondbacks have fallen into the NL West cellar and appear ready to focus on next year after trading closer Brad Ziegler to Boston on Friday, but general manager Dave Stewart said his team isn’t resigned to a last-place finish. “We’re still looking to compete,” Stewart told reporters. “We’re still looking to play competitive baseball. This is not a case where we’re throwing in the flag at all.” Arizona has lost eight of its last nine meetings with the Giants, who have won 20 of their last 27 games despite playing much of that time without injured regulars Hunter Pence (hamstring), Matt Duffy (Achilles) and Joe Panik (concussion).
INJURY REPORT:
Diamondbacks - RP D. Hudson (Out Indefinitely, personal), RP A. Chafin (15-Day DL, shoulder), CF Z. Brito (15-Day DL, toe), LF D. Peralta (15-Day DL, back), CF C. Owings (15-Day DL, foot).
Giants - RP C. Gearrin (15-Day DL, shoulder), 3B M. Duffy (15-Day DL, achilles), 2B K. Tomlinson (15-Day DL, thumb), RF H. Pence (15-Day DL, hamstring), 2B J. Panik (7-Day DL, concussion).
WEATHER REPORT: It looks like it's going to be a typical San Francisco summer evening tonight for Sunday Night Baseball. Clear, cool (low 70's), humidity rising throughout the game, and a 15 mph wind blowing straight out to center field.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Archie Bradley (3-4, 4.81 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 2.09)
Bradley is hoping to end the first half on a high note after allowing five runs over six innings in Monday’s 8-4 loss to San Diego. “You take a look at most of my outings, and not to take credit away from the other team, but I put myself in bad situations and keep continuing to do it,” Bradley told MLB.com. “I’ve got to find a way to work through it, I’ve got to find a way to get better.” The 23-year-old has posted a 5.73 ERA in two career starts against the Giants.
Bumgarner received a no-decision on Tuesday despite recording six strikeouts in six scoreless innings against Colorado. The three-time World Series champion has allowed a total of 12 runs over his last eight starts with a 61-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Paul Goldschmidt is 13-for-41 with two home runs against Bumgarner, who is 8-7 with a 2.54 ERA in 24 career games (23 starts) versus Arizona - including seven strong innings in a 2-1 loss on April 20.
TRENDS:
* Diamondbacks are 2-11 in their last 13 overall.
* Giants are 22-5 in their last 27 vs. National League West.
* Giants are 8-0 in Bumgarner's last 8 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
* Over is 15-3 in Diamondbacks last 18 vs. National League West.
* Over is 8-0 in Bradley's last 8 starts vs. National League West.
* Diamondbacks are 1-8 in the last 9 meetings.
CONSENSUS: The public is favoring the home favorite San Francisco Giants at a rate of 75 percent and Over 7.0 is picking up 67 percent of the totals wagers.