Baseball Information
National League
Cardinals @ Reds
Wacha is 1-1, 2.08 in his last two starts; four of his last five road starts went over the total.
Lorenzen is 0-4, 8.61 in his last five starts; under is 5-1-1 in his last seven.
St Louis won six of last nine games with Cincinnati; last seven series games stayed under. Cardinals won four of last six games; ten of their last 12 stayed under. Reds won five of last eight games; under is 7-1-1 in last nine.
Dodgers @ Phillies
Greinke is 5-0, 0.79 in his last six starts; eight of his last ten stayed under.
Buchanan is 2-0, 3.38 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over.
Phillies are 13-4 since All-Star break; over is 3-2-2 in their last seven. Dodgers won five of last seven games with the Phillies; under is 6-2-1 in last nine. LA won five of its last six games; over is 3-2-1 in their last six.
Padres @ Brewers
Despaigne is 2-0, 300 in his last two starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight.
Garza is 0-2, 4.63 in his last two starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight.
Brewers lost 11 of last 15 games but won last two; under is 9-2-2 in last 13. Milwaukee is 6-7 in its last 13 games with San Diego (under 9-4). Padres lost three of last four games (over 7-1 in last eight).
Diamondbacks @ Nationals
Hellickson is 2-2, 3.95 in his last five starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven.
Ross is 2-2, 2.91 in his last five starts; three of his last four stayed under.
Washington is 4-9 in last 13 games overall; five of their last six went over the total- they won eight of last 11 games with Arizona- last six games in series went over. D'backs won seven of their last ten games (over 7-1 last 8).
Marlins @ Braves
Urena is 0-3, 4.71 in his last four starts; under is 6-1-1 in his last eight.
Wisler is 4-1, 4.67 in his last six starts; under is 6-2 in his starts.
Braves lost eight of last ten games (over 4-0-2 in last six). Marlins lost ten of last 12 games (under 10-6 in last 16). Atlanta won seven of last nine games vs Miami; four of last five went over the total.
Giants @ Cubs
Heston is 3-0, 2.10 in his last four starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight.
Hammel is 1-2, 4.43 in his last five starts; three of his last four went over.
Giants won four of last five games with Chicago; seven of last nine in series stayed under the total. SF is 6-4 in its last ten games; over is 3-1-1 in its last five. Cubs won six of their last seven games (under 5-1-1).
American League
Royals @ Tigers
Ventura is 3-1, 5.87 in his last four starts; Royals scored 27 runs in the four games, three of which went over.
Sanchez is 0-2, 675 in his last two starts; over is 6-0-2 in his last eight.
Royals are 3-1 in last four games with Detroit; eight of last 11 series games stayed under. KC lost five of its last seven games overall; their last three stayed under. Tigers are 4-6 in last ten games- their last three stayed under.
Twins @ Blue Jays
Gibson is 0-2, 7.27 in his last three starts; under is 5-2-2 in his last nine.
Buehrle is 4-1, 3.14 in his last seven starts; his last three went over.
Minnesota lost its last three games with Toronto; three of last five stayed under. Twins lost nine of last 11 games overall, five of last six stayed under. Blue Jays won seven of last eight games; three of their last four went under.
Red Sox @ Bronx
Rodriguez is 3-1, 4.35 in his last six starts; four of last five went over.
Sabathia is 1-1, 6.09 in his last six starts; six of his last eight went over.
Boston lost seven of its last nine games with Bronx; five of last eight in series stayed under the total. Red Sox won four of last six games; eight of their last ten went over. Bronx won eight of its last ten home games.
Astros @ A's
Feldman is 0-1, 3.86 in his last three starts; four of his last six went over.
Brooks allowed one run in 7.1 IP (94 PT) in his first '15 start.
Houston won six of last seven games with Oakland; four of last six went over the total. Astros lost last three games overall, allowing 20 runs; three of their last four stayed under. A's lost nine of last 13 games; nine of those thirteen games stayed under.
Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
StL-Cin-- Wacha 15-5; Lorenzen 6-9
LA-Phil-- Greinke 14-7; Buchanan 2-6
SD-Mil-- Despaigne 7-9; Garza 7-12
Az-Wash-- Hellickson 9-11; Ross 2-4
Mia-Atl-- Urena 2-6; Wisler 5-3
SF-Chi-- Heston 14-7; Hammel 9-11
KC-Det-- Ventura 7-9; Sanchez 11-11
Bos-NY-- Rodriguez 8-4; Sabathia 9-11
Min-Tor-- Gibson 11-10; Buehrle 12-9
Hst-A's-- Feldman 5-8; Brooks 1-0
Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
StL-Cin-- Wacha 4-20; Lorenzen 8-15 (8 of last 9)
LA-Phil-- Greinke 5-21; Buchanan 2-8
SD-Mil-- Despaigne 4-16; Garza 6-19
Az-Wash-- Hellickson 7-20; Ross 0-6
Mia-Atl-- Urena 4-8; Wisler 4-4
SF-Chi-- Heston 2-21; Hammel 8-20 (4 of last 5)
KC-Det-- Ventura 4-16; Sanchez 5-22
Bos-NY-- Rodriguez 2-12; Sabathia 7-20
Min-Tor-- Gibson 4-21; Buehrle 12-21
Hst-A's-- Feldman 4-13; Brooks 0-1
Armadillosports.com
Thursday Scouting Edge
By Coach Fletcher
Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies
If you go by numbers alone, there isn't a snowball's chance in hell of the Phillies knocking off Zack Greinke and the Dodgers. But David Buchanan, sespite horribly inflated numbers, has been pitching better. In his last 3 starts Buchanan has gone 2-0. He beat Atlanta in his last start gong 7 1/3 innings and allowing 3 runs. In his previous start he beat Tampa Bay and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 1/3 innings. His best start of the year was 3 back when he went 5 innings against the Giants giving up only 1 run on 8 hits. While Buchanan now sits at 2-5 with a 6.44 era, his last 3 starts have netted him a 2-0 record and a 3.38 era. The problem Buchanan faces is Zack Greinke. Greinke's last 3 starts have a resulted in a 1.57 era and on the road this year Zack is 5-1 with a 1.26 era.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals have all but squandered their lead over the Mets. It's time someone lit a fire under them and since no one else is stepping up, maybe it will be rookie pitcher Joe Ross. Ross - 2-3 with a 3.00 era in 6 starts. is home mark is even better at 2.89. In his last start, Ross took on the Mets and loss even though he went 6 1/3 innings and only gave up 2 runs on 4 hits. Both runs game on four baggers. Batters are only hitting .221 against Ross and his whip is 0.92. It's hard to imagine a guy like Ross setting the pace for the Nats when their are guys like Scherzer and Fister on the roster. Scherzer has been steady but Fister has missed too many chances this year. Ross may be the guy to get the Nats going again. He faces Jeremy Hellickson who is 7-7 with a 4.95 era. The linemakers have shown Ross respect by making him a -160 favorite on the opening line.
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
There may be an unceremonial changing of the guard today at Yankee Stadium. Boston's most reliable starter, Eduardo Rodriguez, is just 22 years old but he has an excellent year. The NYY counter with C.C. Sabathia who is 35 years old and is not having an excellent year. Rodriguez and Sabathia seem to be headed in opposite directions. Rodriguez is 6-3 with a 4.24 era but he has pitched better than his numbers indicate. Sabathia is 4-8 with a 5.54 era and has pitched pretty much the way his numbers indicate. Rodriguez, a lefty, has had a few rough outings this season, but he has allowed just 3 runs or less in 9 of his 12 starts this season. Not only has C.C. had a rough year, he experienced somne dehydration after his last start. He has given up 5 runs in each of his last 2 starts. For that reason, it is possible that he may be a late scratch today.
Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves
The Braves Matt Wisler is 5-2 with a 4.44 era. Up until last week, he was looking like a star of the future. In his last start Wisler was roughed up by the Phillies. He gave up 7 runs on 8 hits in just 4 2/3 innings. He was also touched up for 2 bombs. Miami's Jose Urena is 1-5 with a 4.06 era. In his last start gave up 4 runs and 8 hits in 5 innings against the Padres. In his previous start he looked sharp against the Dodgers allowing only 1 run and 4 hits in 5 innings. He also walked 4 and struck out 4. Urena's last start came after a 6 week stint in the minors before being recalled. He's 2-3 with a 4.32 era on the road. Whisler's problem in his last start was control of his best pitch, his slider.
Thursday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Red Sox at Yankees
The most storied rivalry in baseball doesn’t hold the same luster this season with Boston languishing in last place of the AL East. However, the Red Sox pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Yankees on Wednesday as a +165 underdog behind a two-run homer from David Ortiz to snap an eight-game road losing streak. The Bronx Bombers still sit atop the division by four games over the surging Blue Jays as Toronto invades Yankee Stadium this weekend.
The Yankees hand the ball to veteran CC Sabathia (4-8, 5.54 ERA) in the rubber match, as the southpaw has allowed five earned runs in each of his last two starts. Sabathia has been hurt by the gopher ball this season, yielding 24 home runs, including five in the past two outings against the Twins and Rangers. New York has performed well when Sabathia has pitched at home of late, posting a 4-1 record, while the left-hander picked up a no-decision in a road win at Boston back in early May.
The Red Sox counter with another left-hander, sending out rookie Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 4.34 ERA), who has lost once in his past six starts. Rodriguez began his big league career on fire by allowing just one earned run in his first three starts, while Boston owns a solid 6-2 record in his previous eight trips to the mound. The southpaw beat the Yankees at Fenway Park prior to the All-Star break, scattering five hits and two earned runs in 6.1 innings of a 5-3 triumph.
Twins at Blue Jays
Toronto pushed its chips in the middle of the table at the trade deadline by acquiring Troy Tulowitzki and David Price for a playoff run. The moves have paid off so far, as the Jays have won seven of their past eight games, while going for the four-game sweep of the reeling Twins at Rogers Center. Minnesota led Toronto by three games for the final AL Wild Card spot on July 28, but the Twins have slipped to five games back of the Jays for that position thanks to a 2-9 slide.
Mark Buehrle (11-5, 3.32 ERA) is coming off consecutive no-decisions in one-run losses to the Mariners and Royals, while giving up 15 hits and seven runs in those outings. The Toronto veteran has been up and down since a 4-1 start at home, as the Jays have split his past four outings at Rogers Center. Buehrle fell behind the Twins, 4-0 after one inning the last time he faced them at Target Field in May, but the Jays rallied for a 6-4 win as the southpaw tossed a complete game.
The Twins send out Kyle Gibson (8-8, 3.37 ERA), who is winless in three starts since the All-Star break. The right-hander put together a quality start against Seattle in his past outing, allowing six hits and two earned runs in seven innings as Minnesota rallied for a pair of runs in the ninth to win, 3-2. Minnesota has compiled a 2-0 record in Gibson’s two career starts against Toronto, including a 3-2 home victory back in May.
Giants at Cubs
San Francisco and Chicago begin a crucial series at Wrigley Field as the two teams are separated by a half-game for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. The Giants pulled ahead of the Cubs thanks to a 6-1 blowout of the Braves on Wednesday, coupled with Chicago’s 7-5 loss at Pittsburgh, snapping a five-game winning streak. The Cubs will look to turn around their recent woes on the North Side, dropping seven of their past 10 games at Wrigley Field.
Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.13 ERA) picked up his first win since early June by knocking off the Brewers last Friday, 4-1 as a -125 road favorite. The Cubs’ right-hander is winless in his past four starts as a home favorite, allowing a season-high six earned runs to the suddenly surging Phillies in less than four innings in an 11-5 loss on July 26. Hammel faced the Giants last season in his first start as a member of the A’s after getting traded by the Cubs in July, losing at San Francisco, 5-2 as a short favorite.
The Giants go for their third straight win behind Chris Heston (11-5, 3.24 ERA), who has been nearly automatic pitching away from AT&T Park. San Francisco owns a terrific 8-2 record in Heston’s 10 road starts, including a perfect 5-0 mark as an away underdog. Heston needed to get bailed out by a Giants’ rally in his last start, as San Francisco erased a late 7-4 deficit at Texas to stun the Rangers, 9-7 in extra innings, the ninth time the Giants have scored at least five runs for the righty in a road outing.
Astros at Athletics
Houston started out of the gate hot to begin the season to basically control the AL West since mid-April. The Astros have managed to stay atop the division heading into August, but they have needed some help from the Angels, who have lost seven of their last nine games to remain two back of Houston. The AL West leaders head to California after getting swept by the Rangers, as the Astros have dropped 13 of their last 15 games away from Minute Maid Park.
The Astros have won six of nine meetings with the A’s this season, sending out veteran Scott Feldman (4-5, 4.58 ERA) in the series opener. Feldman shut down Oakland back on April 25 as a short road underdog, scattering five hits and three earned runs in 6.2 innings of a 9-3 blowout. The right-hander hasn’t fared well since being activated off the disabled list following the All-Star break, going winless in three starts, while Houston has won just once in his past four road outings since May.
The A’s look to snap a four-game losing streak in home series openers, as recently acquired Aaron Brooks (1-0, 3.09 ERA) tries to duplicate a solid performance in his debut. Brooks shut down the Indians days after getting dealt from the Royals in exchange for infielder Ben Zobrist, putting together 7.1 solid innings in a 5-1 victory last Saturday. Oakland hasn’t scored many runs recently at home, as the A’s are 6-2 to the ‘under’ in the past eight games at Coliseum, while scoring three runs or less seven times in this stretch.
MLB: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Los Angeles at Philadelphia
Going back to the well is something that those in baseball betting have no problem doing, especially when it continues to offer up winning plays. In this case, the play is an 'Under' involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. 'Under' gamblers have hit pay dirt the past thirteen L.A. games when Zack Greinke gets the call. During those thirteen starts the righthander has allowed an average 1.07 runs/game with a 84-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio posting 10 'Under', 3 'Over'. Another positive for 'Under' gamblers, the 'Under' has been the correct betting option in 7 of Greinke's last 10 August starts and in 13 of Dodgers' 16 road games during daylight hours.
Minnesota at Toronto
The Toronto Blue Jays will start Mark Buehrle when they conclude the series vs Minnesota, which does not spell good things for Twins. In two appearances since joining Toronto, Buehrle has posted a 2-0 record vs Twins allowing 4 runs over 16 innings, stiking out 8 batters with no walks. Going back to his days with White Sox, Buehrle heads to the hill having posted 5 straight W's vs Minnesota with a 23-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.