Tuesday's Best MLB Bets
Colorado Rockies at Milwaukee Brewers (-225, 8.5)
Now that the Brewers put an end to a five-game losing streak which cut into their lead in the NL Central, the road to the playoffs looks a little more inviting.
The Brewers open a two-game set against the Rockies Tuesday before playing Cincinnati, the Cubs, Florida and Pittsburgh – all sub-.500 teams.
“It’s not going to get more difficult, but regardless of who we’re playing, everyone is going to want to compete and play us tough,” Ryan Braun told the Brewers’ official website. “Whether you’re competing to try to get to the postseason or to ruin somebody else’s chances, it’s kind of a fun time of year for all the teams. We certainly expect everyone to give us their best effort.”
The Rockies should have their hands full with Zack Greinke, who is 10-0 with a 2.96 ERA at Miller Park and has allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his last 10 overall.
At this price, we'll look to the under.
Pick: Under
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals (-135, 9)
The Kansas City Royals know a thing or two about what life in the basement is like. They’ve finished in last place in the AL Central in seven of the last eight seasons.
But right now, the Twins are bringing up the rear and will need to take care of business against the Royals to avoid a last place finish. On Tuesday the Twins will play the first of five games against Kansas City before the end of the regular season.
Minnesota has lost eight of its last nine and is dealing with a number of injuries right now.
“Some young kids are learning on the job,” manager Ron Gardenhire told the Twins’ official website. “They have to figure out a way to get these things done themselves along with some of the veterans we have in there.”
The Twins have won seven of their last eight against the Royals, including their last four in K.C.
Pick: Twins
Tuesday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Gavin Floyd, Chicago White Sox (12-10, 4.35 ERA)
We realize Justin Verlander and Ian Kennedy are climbing the hill Tuesday, but to be totally honest, we’re getting a little sick of talking about those guys – you know what they do. Instead, check out Gavin Floyd, who is 3-0 with a 3.61 ERA in his last six trips to the hill. He gave up just a single earned run over 5 2/3 innings to pace the Pale Hose to an 8-1 win over Cleveland last week.
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies (14-7, 2.60 ERA)
Those shoulder concerns that kept Hamels out of the rotation for a few starts last month seem to be behind him. He is 1-0 over his last three starts, boasting a 2.45 ERA while striking out 16 batters over 21 innings. Hamels hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a starts since mid-July. The Phillies have a shot at clinching the division Monday, so beware the possible champagne hangover.
Slumping
Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs (10-11, 4.74 ERA)
Dempster was a rock in the Cubs’ rotation for much of the year, but even he’s faltering down the stretch of another lost season for Chicago. He hasn’t won a game since Aug. 11 even though he gave up more than three runs just once over those five starts. The Canadian gave up 10 hits in six innings during a no-decision against the Reds last week.
Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays (9-10, 5.12 ERA)
Morrow was pasted for eight runs and two dingers in 4 1/3 innings of work in last week’s loss 11-10 win over Boston, marking the third time he has allowed at least five earned runs over his last four starts. Some are speculating he’s tiring down the stretch, but he’s shooting those notions down.
“I feel good, I thought there was good life on my pitches,” he told reporters of his last start. “I watched every single pitch and I liked the pitch on six of the eight hits. I thought for the most part they were good pitches.”
White Sox Face Verlander, Detroit Tigers
By: Dave Consolazio
The Detroit Tigers will try to stay hot and inch closer to officially clinching the AL Central Tuesday night in Chicago when they face the White Sox in the second game of their three-game series.
AL Cy Young contender Justin Verlander and Gavin Floyd take the mound at 8:10 p.m. (ET) at U.S. Cellular Field.
Fueled by nine straight wins (+9.10 units) including series sweeps of division rivals Chicago, Cleveland and Minnesota, Detroit entered Monday's series opener with a commanding 10.5-game lead in the AL Central. With just two and a half weeks left in the regular season, it would take a major collapse for the Tigers to miss the playoffs at this point.
Detroit (84-62) is winning in a variety of ways, getting timely offense and strong starting pitching down the stretch. The Tigers are 19-4 (+14.90 units) over their last 23 games.
No one has had more to do with Detroit’s success this season than Verlander (22-5, 2.44 ERA), who has been nothing short of dominant all season and has won 10 straight starts (+10.00 units). The Tigers have been a great betting option with Verlander on the mound this year, and are 19-2 (+15.85 units) in his last 21 starts.
The dominant righty has pitched more often against the White Sox this season than any other opponent. In five starts against Chicago, Verlander is 4-1 with a 3.47 ERA.
Chicago (73-72) is 5-3 (+0.95 units) over their last eight games. Chicago had a chance to close some ground in the AL Central in a series against Detroit earlier this month, but a Tigers sweep left the White Sox on the outside looking in.
Floyd (12-10, 4.35 ERA) has been quite strong for Chicago over the second half of the season. In his 10 starts since the All-Star break, Floyd is 6-1 with a 3.92 ERA, and the White Sox are 8-2 (+6.90 units).
He was on the mound the last time Verlander lost, outdueling him on July 15 as a +185 underdog. In 16 career starts against the Tigers, Floyd is 6-1 with a 3.51 ERA.
Through 15 games heading into Monday, Detroit held a 10-5 advantage in the season series over Chicago. Offense has prevailed in ‘total’ betting as the ‘over’ is 9-5-1.
Chicago has been a bad home team at 33-39 (-17.60 units), while Detroit has been profitable on the road at 39-33 (+8.10 units).
Carlos Quentin (shoulder) is still on the disabled list for Chicago, and Detroit’s Brennan Boesch (thumb) is out for the season.
Clear skies are expected Tuesday night with just a light breeze. Brad Penny and Dylan Axelrod will pitch in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon.
Zack Greinke Leads Brewers Against Colorado Rockies
By: Evan Abrams
The Milwaukee Brewers currently own a six-game lead in the National League Central Division over the St. Louis Cardinals, who just cannot seem to figure out a way to catch the Brewers and their impeccable home record (51-22).
The Colorado Rockies currently sit in fourth place in the NL West, a full 15 ½-games behind division-leading Arizona. The Rockies big issue this season has been on the road where they are 31-41.
Game 1 of the series between the Rockies and Brewers will take place Tuesday night at 8:10 p.m. (ET) from Miller Park in Milwaukee. This series begins with the Brewers laying -220 on the money line and the run total opening up at eight.
Milwaukee just finished a tough stretch when they met the Cardinals on the road for three followed by four games at home versus the Philadelphia Phillies. The Brewers ended up going 2-5 in those seven games versus their main National League competition and now need to get back on track when they face the lowly Rockies.
Starting for Colorado on Tuesday will be one of their young pitchers Esmil Rogers (6-5, 6.26), who has not allowed less than four earned runs in any of his last five starts.
Pitching for the Brewers will be one of the two aces on their staff, Zack Greinke (14-6, 3.93), who has pitched at least six innings in every one of his starts dating back to July 3. The right-hander has only allowed four home runs in his last nine starts, a span of 61 1/3 innings.
Greinke is 2-1 in his last three starts for Milwaukee with an ERA of 2.18 during that span, while Rogers is 0-3 with an ERA above seven.
The Rockies currently list eight different players on their injury report for this contest against Milwaukee. Two of the eight players include superstars Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. Gonzalez is listed as probable with lower back stiffness, while Tulowitzki is doubtful because of soreness in his hip due to bursitis.
Colorado has had recent trouble finding victories against the Brewers in Miller Park going 0-5 in their last five meetings there. The Rockies are also 3-13 in their last 16 road games versus a team with a winning record.
The Brewers on the other hand have had all of the momentum on their side behind Greinke's recent home dominance. This includes a 12-0 record in his home starts this year (2.96 ERA) and a 6-0 mark in his last six starts on five days rest.
Tuesday's weather forecast has partly cloudy skies and a mildly chilly night for baseball with a temperature of around 55 degrees and only a small chance of rain.