MLB Betting News and Notes Tuesday, April 15

Tuesday's American League Betting Cheat Sheet
By Covers.com

Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles (-116, 9)

Hot pitching stat: Baltimore is 14-3 in right-hander Miguel Gonzalez's last 17 home starts.

Cold batting stat: Rays infielder Ben Zobrist has just two hits in 19 career at-bats against Gonzalez.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-40s with rain in the forecast and winds gusting in from left field at 26 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 6-1 in Gonzalez's last seven starts on five days rest.

Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers (-169, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez went 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA in four starts against the Indians in 2013.

Cold batting stat: Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis is 3-for-17 with six strikeouts in his career versus Sanchez.

Weather: Fans should expect temperatures near the freezing mark with a 43 percent chance of flurries and wind blowing out to center field at 13 mph.

Key betting note: Cleveland is 8-1 in righty Zach McAllister's last nine outings following a quality start in his previous encounter.

Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers (-150, 9)

Cold pitching stat: Rangers left-hander Robbie Ross has issued eight walks in just 10 1/3 innings so far this season.

Cold batting stat: Texas first baseman Prince Fielder struck out 12 times in 31 at-bats versus Seattle pitchers a year ago.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-50s with clear skies and wind blowing in from right field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 5-1 in Seattle starter Blake Beavan's last six meetings with Texas.

Boston Red Sox at Chicago White Sox (137, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: The Red Sox are 1-4 in right-hander Jake Peavy's last five starts on five days rest.

Cold batting stat: White Sox slugger Adam Dunn is a .161 career hitter with 11 strikeouts in 31 at-bats against Peavy.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-30s with partly cloudy skies and wind blowing in from center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 4-0 in Boston's last four series openers.

Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins (125, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: The Blue Jays are 1-9 in right-hander Brandon Morrow's last 10 Tuesday starts.

Hot batting stat: Toronto 1B Edwin Encarnacion is 12-for-34 with a homer and four doubles lifetime against Twins righty Phil Hughes.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-30s under partly cloudy skies with wind blowing from right to left field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Over is 10-2 in Minnesota's last 12 games.

Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros (131, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura tossed two-hit ball over six shutout innings in his first start of the year.

Hot batting stat: Members of the Kansas City roster are a combined 10-for-28 with two homers versus Astros starter Lucas Harrell.

Weather: Sunny skies are expected with temperatures in the high 50s and wind blowing in from right-center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 19-6-2 in Kansas City's last 27 Tuesday games.

Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels (-119, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Angels right-hander Garrett Richards has limited the opposition to a .100 batting average through two starts.

Hot batting stat: Athletics first baseman Brandon Moss is 6-for-13 with a home run against Richards.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s under clear skies with wind blowing out to center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Angels are 2-8 in Richards' last 10 outings following a quality start in his previous appearance.

Interleague

Chicago Cubs at New York Yankees (-206, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka has racked up 18 strikeouts through his first 14 major-league innings.

Hot batting stat: Yankees second baseman Brian Roberts has seven hits in 17 lifetime at-bats versus Cubs righty Jason Hammel.

Weather: Steady rain is in the forecast with temperatures in the low-50s and wind blowing out to right-center field at 18 mph.

Key betting note: Over is 7-0 in Chicago's last seven games.

MLB: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com

Cubs at Yankees

The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees step out of their comfort zone for a mini two game inter-league set at Yankee Stadium. Cubs off to a 4-8 (-$355) start look to newly acquired Jason Hammel in the opener. The right-hander heads to the mound 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA surrendering 5 hits, 4 runs with 11 K's, 2 walks over 13 2/3 innings. Well to note, Hammel had a 3-0 TSR vs Yankees tossing for Orioles last season. Yankees 7-6 (-$67) on the campaign counter with their prize hurler Masahiro Tanaka. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA in his first two major league starts allowing 13 hits, 6 runs, 2 long-ball with 18 strikeouts, one walk over 14 innings. Yankees with Masahiro Tanaka on the mound and at home will attract a lot of backers even at the whopping -$2.05 price tag. But were not in the camp knowing Yankees have been a poor bets laying => $1.80 posting a 3-6 mark and just 5-5 at home vs the Senior league last year. Cubbies good bets on the road last year in inter-league play winning 6-of-10 away from Wrigley Field were taking the underdog here.

Dodgers at Giants

It's been tough sledding for Dodgers when they take on rival Giants. After losing 2-of-3 in an earlier series the Dodgers are now 2-7 last nine encounters. That aside, the most compelling numbers against Dodgers are the figures compiled by starter Josh Beckett. The right-hander off a rough first start lasting just 4 innings spanked for 5 runs takes the mound on a 0-6 skid last nine starts with an ugly 1-8 TSR over the span. Looking further back Dodgers are 4-12 with Beckett since he joined the club, 1-6 when away from LA LA Land, 1-6 opening a series, 0-2 following a sub quality start by the right-hander (=4R). The numbers clearly illustrate that a 'Play-Against' Dodgers is the right choice. One final betting nugget. Giants countering with Lincecum gives them an ace in the hole as they're ridding a 7-1 stretch vs division rival Dodgers with the hurler taking the ball.

Game of the Day: Dodgers at Giants
By Covers.com

Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants (-109)

Adrian Gonzalez looks to continue his torrid start on Tuesday when the Los Angeles Dodgers begin a three-game series against the host San Francisco Giants, who won two of three in Los Angeles earlier this month. Gonzalez, who has homered in four straight games, has an extra-base hit in eight consecutive contests while hitting .351 during a nine-game hitting streak. “Man, he’s smoking the ball,” teammate Matt Kemp told reporters. “He’s probably the best hitter in the league right now.”

Both teams enter the series riding a wave of momentum with Los Angeles coming off a three-game sweep in Arizona and the Giants winning two of three against Colorado. The Giants are hoping to generate more offense at home, where they’re hitting .244 through their first six games. Dodgers setup man Brian Wilson, who spent his first seven seasons with San Francisco, is expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday after missing two weeks with an elbow injury.

LINE HISTORY: The Giants opened at -109.

INJURY REPORT: Los Angeles: LF Carl Crawford - questionable (upper body), RP Brian Wilson - 15 day-DL (elbow), SP Clayton Kershaw - 15-day DL (back). San Francisco: Marco Scutaro - 15 day-DL (back)

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The Giants got the better of the Dodgers in L.A. a week and a half ago, taking two of three games in that series. However, the two teams have been heading in opposite directions since. Tim Lincecum sports an inflated 9.90 ERA, but he hasn't been all bad, recording a 12/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. We often find him overvalued at AT&T Park and this could be another example of that as the Giants open as a short favorite. With that being said, it's hard to put much faith in Dodgers starter Josh Beckett. He's coming off a miserable start to the season and faces a Giants lineup that has produced at least six runs in nine of their last 10 games."

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "Looking at making Giants very small favorite, around -107 or -108 and total will be 7.5 (Over -125). Expect the Over to be a popular play as all three meetings between teams in L.A. went Over the posted total. Also, both starters have ERAs above 9.00 this season." - Mike Perry, Sportsbook.ag.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Josh Beckett (0-0, 9.00 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (0-1, 9.90)

Beckett started for the first time in nearly 11 months last Wednesday against Detroit and yielded five runs (four earned) over four frames. “I felt good,” Beckett told mlb.com. “It was fun to just have things to work on. I have some things to adjust.” Hunter Pence is 7-for-17 with a home run against the 33-year-old, who is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four career starts against the Giants.

Lincecum has allowed 15 runs in his first two starts, including seven runs in four innings against Arizona last Wednesday. “He was off all night,” manager Bruce Bochy told mlb.com. “That was pretty evident. He didn’t have good stuff or command.” Gonzalez is 11-for-52 with 16 strikeouts against the two-time Cy Young award winner, who is 9-6 with a 2.92 ERA in 23 career games (22 starts) against the Dodgers.

TRENDS:

* Giants are 6-1 in Lincecums last seven starts vs. Dodgers.
* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Dodgers are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings in San Francisco.
* Dodgers are 1-4 in the last five meetings.

Tuesday's National League Notes
By Dave Essler

Atlanta - Philadelphia: I guess we don't really know what we're getting w/Hale, but honestly against a team that's seen so much of Cliff Lee, I can't lay -150, especially not after the collapse last night. We were on the over (we'll take it) knowing that both pens are trashed, which is no different tonight. But, terrible baseball weather in Philly tonight. Then again, it was in Cincinnati last night.

Miami - Nationals: You guys know I simply will not lay -180 on the road, and Strasburg just hasn't been right. Not saying the Fish are a live dog, but only Fish RL or Nats in a parlay for me.

Pirates - Reds: I had said watching Cole pitch last week that we'd fade him next time out and I won't change my mind. Teams are seeing more of him now. However, we'll have to see about the continuation of last nights' game and how it effects the pitching staffs. Wind still gonna be blowing, but very cold.

Cardinals - Brewers: Last night was a game where the sharp money on St. Louis turned out to be right. We'll discuss this more soon. Miller hasn't been himself and Estrada is no stranger to St. Louis. Yadier should be back in the lineup, and part of me wonders if the fact that the Brewers finally lost doesn't have them thinking too much. They hadn't been hitting as well going into last night, or I might lean over here.

Mets - Arizona: I see that total is (at least the vig) going up again, and I wonder if that's not an over reaction to last night and recent bullpen issues on both sides. Both starting pitchers are quite capable, but Arroyo has been hit and the D-backs haven't seen Mejia. Lean under at least early and if it goes to 9.5 and perhaps Mets F5 again.

Colorado - San Diego: Simply have to wonder where the Rockies heads' are at after last night (thank you) and the lack of a bullpen, period. Nicasio is "better" on the road, but the Padres have certainly seen him, so it's almost San Diego or nothing without even looking much further.

Dodgers - Giants: Obviously I don't trust either of these starters but both could throw shutouts, too. Both teams playing well, and the total (vig) moving closer to 8 (I doubt it goes there) would seemingly favor the home team, and they DO have the better bullpen, as much as it may pain me to back Lincecum.

MLB Odds and Picks
By: Micah Roberts
Sportingnews.com

LAS VEGAS -- After losing two of their first three games to start the season, it looked as though the Oakland A's might see some rough times that usually come to teams that lose two-thirds of their rotation. But the A's have once again blown our minds despite not having Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin, and have reeled off eight wins in their last 10 games, including six of their last seven on their current nine-game road trip.

Up next for the Amazing A's are the Los Angeles Angels (6-7), a team they beat 3-2 last night with the help of a two-run ninth inning home run by pinch-hitter John Jaso. For the A's (9-4), it no longer comes as a shock because they just continue to win games by doing all the little things and it's why they have won the AL West the past two seasons when it was the Angels who were favored to do so. As for the Angels, it's no longer surprising to see them blow games in spectacular fashion because it's become a regular occurrence the past two seasons.

Tonight's battle is another classic matchup of a team with great pitching going against the team with great hitting. The Angels have produced the third-most runs (69) in baseball while the A's have the second lowest ERA (2.08) with a bullpen that has the fifth lowest mark (2.48). Albert Pujols isn't going through an April slump like we've seen the past two seasons, while Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir and Jesse Chavez have led the Oakland rotation.

Tonight Dan Straily (1-1, 2.77 ERA) will try to make it 14 straight games where the Oakland starters have allowed three runs or fewer, something that hasn't been done by the club in 33 years back when Billy Martin was the manager.

As good as the A's have been, it's not good enough to make them the favorite over the Angels tonight. Backed behind Garrett Richards (2-0, 0.75), the Angels are -110 with a total set at 8 OVER -120 thanks in large part to their bats that have pushed them OVER in 10 of 13 games this season.

We have a team with great hitting that was held to two runs last night again facing the team that did it and has been doing it all season. Can Garrett be stingy enough to compete with the A's staff or will the Angels find a way to tee off on Straily and make the lead insurmountable? What makes a wager on the Angels so attractive is they can have both.

Richards has been involved in a pitchers duel and a scoring spree in his two starts this season -- both on the road. He beat the Astros, 11-1, and then shut down Seattle, 2-0, in his last start while going seven strong innings. There are still some skeptics with Richards, and he didn't exactly face a great lineup in either start, but he does look like he's on the verge of a breakout year.

While Richards is on the upswing, we still have to mention that he went 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA in four starts against the A's last season. And while Straily is going for a personal best of 10 straight starts without allowing more than three runs, the Angels have beat him three straight times and he has a 5.82 ERA in six career starts against them.

The A's as a team are hot, but we're going to ride the arm of Richards and bats of the Angels tonight against a pitcher they feel comfortable with.

Trying Koehler again?

If it wasn't for the Marlins' eight-game losing steak and a loss in the same matchup between Tom Koehler and Stephen Strasburg last week in Washington, Miami would definitely be a play. Last week, while getting +205, Koehler kept his team close, allowing only two runs in six innings, and left trailing 2-1 in a game that turned into 7-1. That was his second straight start of allowing only two runs and it comes off a terrific spring. However, losing can be contagious and accepted by a young club, and as attractive as the Marlins are today, there's a big caution flag waving at the bet window.

Tuesday selections:

Angels (Richards) -110 vs. A's

Angels/A's OVER 8 -120

Reds (Leake) -103 vs. Pirates

Pirates, Reds clash again
By Sportsbook.ag

Pittsburgh (6-6) at Cincinnati (4-8)

Sportsbook.ag Line: Pittsburgh -115, Cincinnati +105, Total: 7.5

After a historical power performance on Monday, the Pirates and Reds continue their series with game two on Tuesday night.

These clubs met on Monday night and had to suspend the game due to rain after the sixth inning with a tie game of 7-7. The suspended contest will resume action at 5:30 p.m. ET tonight. If the last three innings are anything like the first six, the ending will be explosive, as the two teams combined to hit an incredible 10 home runs, including three separate occasions of back-to-back homers by the Pirates. This was only the third time this has been done, while the 10 homers were the most in the majors since 2006. Pittsburgh hit six of the bombs, bringing its season total to 18 (T-3rd in MLB).

Neil Walker was responsible for two of the home runs and now has four on the year, which is surprising, as he has averaged just 13.5 HR per year since 2010. The Reds have struggled in the early going of 2014 and could not win any of their first four series. Their bats are coming alive though, and after they put 12 runs on the board Sunday against the Rays, they hit four home runs and scored seven runs over the first six innings on Monday.

The pitchers who are expected to tame these hot hitting offenses will be 23-year-old phenom RHP Gerrit Cole (2-0, 3.46 ERA) for the Pirates and RHP Mike Leake (1-1, 2.45 ERA) for the host Reds.

This matchup has been dead even over the previous two seasons with the two clubs splitting 38 games between each other while Cincinnati holds a slight edge at home (10-9).

Recent trends show that Pittsburgh is 24-9 (.727) after having lost four or five of its previous six games since the beginning of last year, while Leake has gone 29-10 (.744) versus teams whose hitters strike out seven or more times per game, and the Pirates are fanning 8.5 times per game so far on the season.

Gerrit Cole has been one of the more heralded prospects over the past few years and he has lived up to his billing thus far. In his 2013 rookie campaign, he went 10-7 with a 3.22 ERA (1.17 WHIP) while striking out 7.7 batters per nine innings as a 22-year-old. He’s already showed that he is ready to be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher for the Bucs for years to come. Over his first two starts in 2014, Cole has earned a win both times while striking out 10 Chicago Cubs batters and allowing four runs (3 ER) in his last outing.

He has yet to face Cincinnati in his young career, but will need to be sure to be careful against 1B Joey Votto who is a career .324 batter against right-handers. The other power lefty in the Reds lineup, OF Jay Bruce, is much better against righties (.265 BA) than he is against lefties (.235 BA) but is hitting just .179 in 39 at-bats overall this year while striking out 11 times (12 walks) and hitting two home runs (8 RBI).

The Pirates' bullpen has been fantastic up until this point in the season, going 4-1 while putting up a 2.48 ERA but has been successful in just 3-of-5 save opportunities. Closer Jason Grilli (1.80 ERA, 3 saves) has gone 3-for-4 in his save chances so far, but has had trouble with his control, walking four batters in his first five innings of work.

Mike Leake is not a big strikeout pitcher, averaging just 5.9 K/9 over his career, and has just six in 14.2 IP in his first two starts this year. He gets plenty of groundballs though, and will rely heavily on his defense to provide support for him over the entire year. Leake put together a very impressive effort against the reigning NL Champion Cardinals in his last start, going eight scoreless frames while allowing just four hits. He’s also had previous success when facing the Redbirds, going 5-3 (7-8 team record) with a 3.79 ERA (1.30 WHIP) and has received a win in each of his past three starts against them. Leake has allowed just four total runs in those three games (18.2 IP) while striking out a total of 13 batters with only four walks.

One of the stars in Monday’s game, 2B Neil Walker, has gone 9-for-28 (.321) with a homer and 11 RBI in this matchup and is not the only player to put up great numbers against the righty, as C Russell Martin is 9-for-19 (.474, 1 HR, 3 RBI) against him in his career. OF Andrew McCutchen is only 9-for-40 (.225) with 9 K’s against Leake, but does have 2 HR and 6 RBI when facing him.

One area where Cincinnati has a clear disadvantage in this game will be its relievers, as the team has combined for a 5.29 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 16 walks over just 27.2 innings. Aroldis Chapman threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Monday before the game and will watch as Jonathan Broxton (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who also just returned from injury, works the ninth inning for the time being. He has saved 111-of-153 games (73%) so far in his career.

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