Baseball Information
National League
Rockies @ Mets
Rusin is 0-1, 8.14 in his last four starts (over 3-1).
Harvey is 2-1, 1.25 in his last three starts (over 3-1 in last four).
Colorado lost last five games with the Mets; home side won ten of last 11 in series, with last five staying under. Rockies won three of last five overall; five of their last seven went over total. Mets won nine of last 11 games, with six of last eight going over.
Brewers @ Cubs
Jungmann is 4-2, 2.11 in his last six starts; three of last four stayed under.
Haren is 0-2, 5.09 in his last four starts (under 6-4 in last ten).
Milwaukee lost last four games with the Cubs (under 4-0-1 in last five); they won four of last six games (under 6-4 in last ten). Chicago won nine of its last ten games; four of last five went over the total.
Pirates @ Cardinals
Locke is 1-2, 5.79 in his last five starts (over 2-0-1 in last three).
Martinez is 1-1, 4.09 in his last four starts; under is 8-1-1 in his last ten.
Pirates won five of last six games with St Louis; five of last seven series tilts went over. Pittsburgh won last four games, scoring 31 runs (over 4-0). Cards won four of last five games; six of their last seven stayed under.
Phillies @ Diamondbacks
Buchanan is 2-2, 7.00 in his last five starts (over 4-0-1).
Hellickson is 1-3, 5.57 in his last four starts (over 5-2-1 in last eight).
Phillies are 16-6 in their last 21 games; four of last five went over the total. Arizona is 5-3 in last eight games; three of last four stayed under. Phils won six of last eight in series; three of last five stayed under the total.
Nationals @ Dodgers
Ross is 3-2, 2.70 in his last six starts (under 4-3).
Greinke is 6-0, 1.21 in his last nine starts; under is 7-3 in his last ten.
Washington is 5-3 in last eight games with the Dodgers (over 6-5); Nationals lost seven of last 11 games (over 8-1 in last nine). Dodgers lost their last four games, allowing 32 runs; their last five games all went over.
Reds @ Padres
Lorenzen is 0-5, 8.04 in his last six starts (over 2-0-1 in last three).
Rea is making MLB debut here; he was 2-2, 4.39 in six AAA starts at the high altitude of El Paso.
Cincinnati lost seven of last eight games with San Diego; under is 8-3 in last 11 series games. Reds lost five of last six games; their last nine stayed under the total. Padres lost six of last seven games; over is 9-3 in their last 12.
American League
A's @ Blue Jays
Former Blue Jay Graveman is 0-0, 2.92 in his last two starts; four of his last six stayed under.
Hutchison is 1-0, 10.93 in his last three starts; five of his last six went over the total- Jays scored 42 runs in those six games.
Blue Jays won last eight games, outscoring foes 42-15; last three went under the total. Oakland won five of last seven games with Toronto; under is 8-1-1 in last ten series games- home team won eight of last ten. A's won last three games, allowing six runs.
Bronx @ Indians
Severino allowed two runs in five IP (94 PT) in his MLB debut.
Carrasco is 1-1, 2.57 in his last five starts; six of his last eight went over.
Bronx lost three of last four games with Cleveland, four of last six series tilts went over. New York lost four of last five games, scoring four runs (all five stayed under). Indians are 3-2 in last five games; their last three went over.
Tigers @ Royals
Sanchez is 0-2, 6.50 in his last three starts; under is 7-0-2 in his last nine.
Ventura is 2-0, 5.68 in his last three starts; four of his last five went over. KC scored 18 runs in his last three starts.
Royals won last four games; three of their last five went over the total. Tigers are 5-4 in last nine games with Kansas City; five of last six stayed under the total. Detroit is 4-6 in last ten games (over 2-1-2 last five).
Angels @ White Sox
Santiago is 0-1, 6.75 in his last three starts; five of his last six went over.
Rodon is 1-2, 9.33 in his last four starts (over 5-2 in last seven).
Angels won seven of last nine games with the White Sox (over 7-2); Halos won three of last five games overall (under 3-3 in last six). Chicago lost six of last eight games; 11 of their last 12 went over the total.
Rangers @ Twins
Gallardo is 1-1, 8.53 in his last four starts (over 3-1).
Gibson is 0-3, 9.00 in his last four starts.
Texas won six of last eight games vs Minnesota; five of last six stayed under the total. Rangers won five of their last seven games. Twins lost seven of last eight games, with last five all going over the total.
Orioles @ Mariners
Tillman is 3-0, 1.09 in his last six starts (under 6-0) but has been hampered by a sprained ankle lately.
Walker is 1-0, 2.20 in his last two starts; five of his last six went over.
Orioles won six of last eight games with Seattle; eight of last eleven in series stayed under total. Mariners won five of last eight games; over is 5-3 in their last eight. Baltimore is 0-4 in games following its last four wins; over is 3-2 in its last five games.
Interleague
Braves @ Rays
Perez is 0-2, 10.20 in his last three starts; over is 6-3-1 in his last ten.
Ramirez is 0-1, 6.52 in his last three starts; under is 5-3-2 in his last ten.
Atlanta won five of last seven games with Tampa Bay (under 5-2); Braves are 3-1 in last four games overall (over 7-1-2 in last ten). Rays are 5-2 in last seven games; eight of their last nine went over.
Red Sox @ Marlins
Wright is 2-0, 1.80 in his lst two starts.
Nicolino is 1-1, 4.09 in his two starts (over 1-1) this year.
Boston won its last seven games with Miami; over is 3-1-2 in last six. Sox are 3-4 in last seven games overall; over is 2-0-1 in last three. Marlins lost six of last seven games; eight of their last ten went over.
Astros @ Giants
Kazmir is 3-2, 1.67 in his last eight starts (under 7-1).
Bumgarner is 4-1, 3.09 in his last five starts (under 2-1-2 in last five).
Houston lost six of last seven games; four of last six stayed under the total. Astros lost seven of last eight games with the Giants; three of last four went over. San Francisco lost last four games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven.
Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
Col-NY-- Rusin 3-8; Harvey 13-8
Mil-Chi-- Jungmann 7-4; Haren 10-12, 0-1
Pitt-StL-- Locke 12-9; Martinez 17-3
Phil-Az-- Buchanan 2-7; Hellickson 7-12
Wsh-LA-- Ross 3-4; Greinke 15-7 (6-1 last 7)
Cin-SD-- Lorenzen 6-10 (1-6 last 7); Rea 0-0
A's-Tor-- Graveman 8-10 (0-5 last 5); Hutchison 15-7
NY-Clev-- Severino 0-1; Carrasco 13-9
Det-KC-- Sanchez 12-11; Ventura 7-10
LA-Chi-- Santiago 12-9; Rodon 9-6
Tex-Min-- Gallardo 12-11; Gibson 11-11
Balt-Sea-- Tillman 11-9; Walker 12-10
Atl-TB-- Perez 5-5; Ramirez 11-6
Bos-Mia-- Wright 3-5; Nicolino 1-1
Hst-SF-- Kazmir 10-11, 2-1; Bumgarner 13-9
Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
Col-NY-- Rusin 4-11; Harvey 6-21
Mil-Chi-- Jungmann 2-11; Haren 3-22
Pitt-StL-- Locke 4-21; Martinez 3-20
Phil-Az-- Buchanan 2-9; Hellickson 7-19
Wsh-LA-- Ross 1-7; Greinke 6-22
Cin-SD-- Lorenzen 8-16 (8 of last 10); Rea 0-0
A's-Tor-- Graveman 5-18; Hutchison 8-22 (5 of last 6)
NY-Clev-- Severino 0-1; Carrasco 11-22
Det-KC-- Sanchez 5-23; Ventura 4-17
LA-Chi-- Santiago 6-21; Rodon 5-15
Tex-Min-- Gallardo 8-23; Gibson 5-22
Balt-Sea-- Tillman 3-20; Walker 5-22
Atl-TB-- Perez 4-10; Ramirez 5-17
Bos-Mia-- Wright 3-8; Nicolino 0-2
Hst-SF-- Kazmir 3-21; Bumgarner 6-22
Umpires
Col-NY-- Six of last eight Holbrook games went over.
Phil-Az-- Underdogs are 4-3 in last seven Eddings games.
Wsh-LA-- Six of last eight Bucknor games stayed under.
Cin-SD-- Nine of last twelve Cuzzi games stayed under.
Det-KC-- Four of last five Reyburn games went over.
LA-Chi-- Underdogs won three of four Pattillo games.
Balt-Sea-- Underdogs are 5-3 in last eight Blaser games.
Armadillosports.com
MLB Betting News and Notes
By Steve Merril
Rockies @ Mets -- Matt Harvey is in terrific current form. He has allowed just 3 runs and 13 hits over his last 21.2 innings of work. Harvey threw a complete game shutout at home against Colorado back in 2013. Even though that was a couple of years ago, that outing is likely remembered by Harvey. Colorado’s Chris Rusin has struggled to go deep in ballgames; he averages just 5.2 innings per start. He owns a horrendous 6.15 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in six road starts for the Rockies this season. The Mets are only hitting .227 while averaging 3.1 runs per game versus left-handed starters this season. So despite the terrible raw numbers on Rusin, he may actually have a good outing because of his opponent’s struggles. The best way to play this game is Under 7 (-120).
Brewers @ Cubs -- For the second time this season, Taylor Jungmann will be facing the Cubs. Back on July 31st, Jungmann had his second shortest outing of the year after lasting just 5.2 innings while allowing 3 runs and seven hits to Chicago. That outing came in Milwaukee, so it’s likely Jungmann will struggle once again with this game being on the road. The Cubs are in excellent current form; they are 10-1 over their eleven games while out-scoring their opponents 49-30. I lean to the Cubs (-140) in this game.
Reds @ Padres -- Colin Rea gets the call for San Diego on Tuesday night as they host the Cincinnati Reds. Rea struggled in Triple-A after being promoted from Double-A San Antonio. The righty went 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA in six starts for El Paso. He allowed 29 hits in just over 26 innings of work which is a far cry from the 50 hits he allowed in 75 innings pitched in AA. Rea only walked 11 batters in 12 Double-A starts; he walked 12 batters in just 6 AAA outings. Rea has no business being a favorite based on the above AAA numbers, so the Reds (+105) look like a live underdog in this game.
A’s @ Blue Jays -- Drew Hutchison has good numbers at home. He is 8-1 with a 2.69 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. However, he’s beginning to show some cracks as of late with both the Twins and Royals hitting him up for a combined 11 runs and 14 hits in 10 innings pitched in Toronto. Overall, Hutchison has a terrible 5.42 ERA and an ugly 1.52 WHIP despite owing a 10-2 record. He has been lucky to get a boatload of run support with the Blue Jays scoring 6 runs or more in nine of his last ten starts. Hutchison is a $2 favorite in this game, so there’s definitely value in backing Oakland on the money line (+180) or on the run line (+1.5 runs -120).
Tuesday Scouting Edge
By Coach Fletcher
Oakland Athletics at Toronto Blue Jays
Drew Hutchison is 10-2 with a 5.42 era. You don’t see numbers like that too often. But this Blue Jay hurler has the best run support in the Blue Jay rotation. In fact in his last start, Hutchison made it just 5 innings and was tagged for 7 runs, 3 of them earned runs, but picked up his 10th win in the process. Hutchison is a different pitcher at home than on the road. And get a load of these numbers on the road – 2-1 with an era of 9.00! Hutchison has given up 51 earned runs in 51 innings on the road but still has a winning record. At home he’s another pitcher entirely. In the friendly confines of Rogers Centre Hutchison has gone 8-1 with a 2.69 era. In 67 innings at home, Drew has been somewhat stingy allowing just 20 earned runs. Since the All-Star break Hutchison is 2-0 with a 5.85 era. The total in today’s game opened at 9. The side opened with Toronto at -214 but has gone Oakland’s way by about 20.
Boston Red Sox at Miami Marlins
The early opening line had Miami a slight favorite at home against the Bosox. But the line quickly moved to make Boston a small favorite over the Fish. So what happened? It’s possible that the reaction was caused by Miami’s recent poor play. Miami is 3-10 in their last 13 games and just 1- 6 in their last 7. The Red Sox have won half of their last 12 which is an improvement. But the main reason for the line change could revolve around Red Sox hurler Steven Wright. The knuckleballer comes off 2 excellent starts. After giving up 2 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings vs Detroit, Wright came back against the White Sox and went 7 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits walking a pair and fanning 8. He improved in his final start going 8 innings against the NYY and giving up 1 run on just 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 9. That gives Wright a 2.33 era in his last 3 starts. Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval are expected back in the Bosox lineup after a few off days due to minor ailments.
New York Yankees at Cleveland Indians
The New York Yankees are sending out their top pitching prospect to beat the Indians in a series that has been totally dominated by the Bronx Bombers. Since 1993, the Indians are just 2-20 in their season series vs. the Yanks. Luis Severino lived up to his hype in his first start even though he got the loss. Severino went 5 innings giving up just 2 hits. He allowed 1 run and fanned 7. That gives him an era of 1.80 and a whip of just 0.40. It may not be an easy win for Severino as he faces a suddenly strong Carlos Carrasco. Carrasco has just finished 2 complete game wins where he went 18 innings and allowed only 1 run and 3 hits in beating the Oakland A’s and the Los Angeles Angels. Carrasco credit an adjustment to his mechanics for his streak of excellent starts.
Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals
Kauffman Stadium is considered slightly more of a pitcher’s ballpark than a hitter’s paradise. However, the batters may take center stage tonight. Detroit sends out Anibal Sanchez who is 10-9 on the year with a 4.82 era. In his last start, against these very Royals, Sanchez got a no decision while tagged for 4 runs on 5 hits. Sanchez also walked 4 batters. In his previous start at Baltimore Sanchez was rocked for 6 runs and 9 hits in 6 2/3 innings. He’s also susceptible to the long ball giving up 4 in his last 18 innings. Yordano Ventura faces a similar problem. He opposed Sanchez last week in Detroit and took the loss. In 5 innings he was torched for 6 runs on 8 hits and gave up 2 round trippers. In his previous start Ventura was roughed up by Toronto for 5 runs, 6 hits and 2 bombs. Ventura is 1-0 lifetime vs the Tigers with a 6.50 era and a 1.778 whip. Sanchez has had success throughout his career with KC as he is 6-3 with a 2.33 era in 10 starts. KC and Ventura opened as a -150 favorite.
Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants
The weather and the Giants are two things that are cold in San Francisco. Add the Houston Astros to make it a trio. It may even get worse Tuesday night when Scott Kazmir faces Madison Bumgarner in a battle of elite lefties. There is not much to say about Kazmir but “wow.” He’s pitching like Bumgarner last year in the playoffs and World Series. Kazmir is just 6-6 this year but his era is a skimpy 2.08. In his last 3 starts he’s given up 1 run in 20 1/3 innings for a 0.44 era. Kazmir will face a Giant team that is struggling. SF has won just 2 of their last 5 and has lost 4 straight. Kazmir has 1 start vs the Giants and that was last year when he shut them out for 7 innings on just 3 hits. But wait just a minute. Don’t give this one to the Astros just yet. Houston has lost 3 straight and 6 of their last 7. Bumgarner has a 2.43 era at home where he is 5-2 and Kazmir’s road era is 3.19 and his record is 3-4. The Astros also score a half a run less against LHP than RHP and the Giants average about a half a run better at home vs LHP than normal. Madison is 3-1 with a 2.93 career against Houston. The Giants opened at -140.
MLB: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Oakland at Toronto
Toronto fueled by deals at the trade deadline will take aim at a 9th straight win and its 12th in 13 on the field. Drew Hutchison carrying a 10-2 record, 5.42 ERA gets the call for John Gibbons' crew. The right-hander crushed his last three giving up 17 runs, 11 earned but Blue Jays showing a penchant for breaking out the bats whenever he starts (6.9 runs/game) did win all three of the games. Hutchison trades pitches with A's Kendall Graveman (6-7, 3.90 ERA) who is winless in five starts with A's losing all five contests. Oddsmakers have given Toronto the nod opening High Flying Birds -$2.00 favorite. Hutchison's recent performance makes it a bit risky. However, if your into laying heavy lumber the amount of supporting data in favor of Toronto makes it less risky. Jays have won 7 straight home games with Hutchison and 9 of his 11 starts in front of the friendly crowd. This being the first game of a home series is yet another nod towards Toronto, since the team has compiled a 12-5 record opening a series before the home audience.
New York at Cleveland
Opening a series has not been good at home for the Cleveland Indians this year, since losses in 15 of 17 games has been the end result. Indians also have a severe case of 'Bad Luck Tuesday' as the club is 1-7 at home this year in Tuesday games. Factor that together with Indians being 10-24 in night games at Progressive Field, 1-4 last five home games handing the ball to Carrasco, 3-13 opening a se
Game of the Day: Pirates at Cardinals
By Covers.com
Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals
The Pittsburgh Pirates experienced their fair share of heartbreak in their first four games against the St. Louis Cardinals, but spent most of the rest of the first half of the season getting payback. The teams with the two best records in the National League will resume their rivalry on Tuesday when the visiting Pirates try to trim a five-game gap in the Central against the league-best Cardinals in the opener of a three-game set.
St. Louis (71-49) swept Pittsburgh at home to begin May, registering three straight one-run extra-inning victories, and opened with a road victory against the Pirates the following weekend. Pittsburgh (65-44) rebounded by winning that series and claimed five of the next six meetings to level the season series, even stealing the final three – the last two of which were also decided in extra innings – before the All-Star break. The Cardinals’ pitching staff saw their 38-inning scoreless streak come to an end in Sunday’s 5-4 loss at Milwaukee, which also snapped St. Louis’ four-game winning streak. The Pirates took advantage of the Cardinals’ rare setback, however, inching closer to their division rival after completing a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
INJURY REPORT: Pirates: Guerra (15-day DL), Burnett (early September), Mercer (early September.), Harrison (late August), Hart (60-day DL), Lambo (60-day DL), Cumpton (out for season). Cardinals: Holliday (15-day DL), Jay (15-day DL), Walden (60-day DL), Belisle (60-day DL), Wainwright (60-day DL), Adams (60-day DL).
WEATHER REPORT: Currently, the forecast is calling for a clear night in St. Louis with temperatures ranging in the 81 degrees Fahrenheit ballpark. At the time of writing, winds of 7 mph blowing in from left field were expected at game time.
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Pirates offense has been inconsistent this season, but they definitely heated up this past weekend, scoring 5 runs or more in all four games while sweeping the L.A. Dodgers. Pittsburgh's offense will now be put to the test in this brief two-game home series against the Cardinals. The St. Louis pitching staff has been great all season and they enter with three shutout wins in their past four games. This game should have a playoff atmosphere as the Pirates look to cut into the Cardinals' five game lead in the N.L. Central division." Covers Expert Steve Merril
WHAT ODDSMAKERS SAY: "This is a huge series for these teams and we'll have no shortage of action on it, especially as bettors get back in gear ahead of football season. Pirates come in to this with a head full of steam but based on the pitching matchup. We opened the Cards as -160 chalk at home. I'm guessing that will close a bit higher as we'll have clients starting to fade the Bucs until they lose. They haven't been great on the road and we know St. Louis is dynamite at Busch." John Lester of bookmaker.eu.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (6-6, 4.31 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (11-4, 2.57)
Locke continued his recent struggles in Wednesday’s 7-5 win over the Chicago Cubs, failing to factor into the decision after surrendering four runs – including a pair of homers – in 5 2/3 frames. The 27-year-old New Hampshire native has yielded at least three runs in each of his last four turns and failed to complete six innings in each of his previous three outings. Locke took the loss on July 9 after giving up four runs (one earned) in five innings against St. Louis, falling to 2-3 with a 3.55 ERA in seven career starts versus the Cardinals.
After going 11-4 with a 2.34 ERA through his first 20 appearances (18 starts), Martinez turned in his second mediocre start in a no-decision on Wednesday, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks over five innings at Cincinnati. The 23-year-old Dominican allowed five runs and 10 hits at home versus Colorado on July 30 – an outing which concluded a month in which he went 2-1 with a 2.03 ERA. Martinez has split a pair of starts against the Pirates this season, including a 7 1/3-inning gem to get the win on July 9.
TRENDS:
Cardinals are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Cardinals are 12-2 in Martinezs last 14 home starts.
Over is 4-0 in Pirates last 4 overall.
Pirates are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Tuesday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Athletics at Blue Jays
There is little shock that Toronto has run off eight consecutive wins since acquiring Troy Tulowitzki and David Price prior to the trade deadline. However, the Jays distanced themselves from the Twins in the Wild Card race with a four-game sweep, while pulling off a three-game road sweep of the AL East-leading Yankees this past weekend to cut the division deficit to 1 ½ games.
Toronto starts up a three-game set with Oakland as right-hander Drew Hutchison (10-2, 5.42 ERA) looks to stay unbeaten for the fifth consecutive start. Hutchison’s ERA is through the roof for a starting pitcher, but owns some of the best run support in baseball with the Jays furnishing him with an average of seven runs per outing. Toronto is unbeaten in Hutchison’s last seven starts at Rogers Center, while the Jays are 5-1 to the ‘over’ in his past six trips to the mound overall.
The A’s wrapped up a 6-5 homestand with three victories over the AL West leaders, limiting the Astros to six runs in the final three games. Kendall Graveman (6-7, 3.90 ERA) attempts to get on track, failing to record a win in his past five starts. The Oakland right-hander struggled against this loaded Toronto lineup on July 21, allowing six earned runs in 5.1 innings of a 7-1 defeat, while also yielding three home runs. The A’s began the season 4-0 in Graveman’s first four starts as a road underdog, but own a dreadful 1-4 mark in his past five in the away ‘dog role.
Rangers at Twins
Two weeks ago, Minnesota held on to the final Wild Card spot in the American League, but a 3-12 slump for the Twins has dropped them below .500 and four games behind the Angels for a playoff position. Two of those three wins came by one run apiece, while Minnesota’s pitching has been racked by giving up at least eight runs in each of the past five games.
The Rangers continue their road trip after dropping two of three at Seattle, sending out veteran Yovani Gallardo (8-9, 3.47 ERA) to the mound in the opener. Texas has won each of Gallardo’s last three starts, but the righty has given up 13 runs in this stretch, with each of the three victories coming by one run each. Gallardo has seen his ups and downs pitching on the highway, as the Rangers are 3-1 in his past four road starts.
Kyle Gibson (8-9, 3.78 ERA) closed the first half with four consecutive wins for the Twins, but the All-Star break crushed the right-hander’s momentum. Minnesota has put together a 1-3 record in his four starts after the break, while giving up at least six runs in the three losses. For the exception of allowing to six runs to the Yankees on July 26, Hughes has given up two runs or less in four of his past five starts at Target Field.
Pirates at Cardinals
St. Louis still owns an arm-length five-game advantage over Pittsburgh in the NL Central, but the Pirates put together an impressive three-game home sweep of the Dodgers. Pittsburgh and St. Louis play nine more times in the regular season, including six at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals finished off their six-game road trip at 4-2, bookended with one-run losses to the Reds and Brewers.
The last time Carlos Martinez (11-4, 2.57 ERA) faced the Pirates at PNC Park prior to the All-Star break, the Cardinals’ right-hander tossed 7.1 scoreless innings in a 4-1 victory. St. Louis is unbeaten in Martinez’s last six starts at Busch Stadium dating back to late May, while posting an incredible 12-1 record in his past 13 starts overall. The ‘under’ has cashed in 10 of Martinez’s last 12 outings, as St. Louis is currently riding a 6-1 ‘under’ stretch in the last seven games overall.
Pittsburgh and Chicago are the two Wild Card leaders in the National League, as the Pirates have scored 31 runs during their four-game winning streak. Jeff Locke (6-6, 4.31 ERA) went through four straight starts from late June through July receiving four total runs of supports. However, the Pirates’ offense has helped out the young southpaw by scoring 19 runs in his past three outings, all Pittsburgh victories. Locke has split a pair of starts against the Cardinals this season, allowing seven runs in 11.1 innings of work.
Nationals at Dodgers
It’s turned into a struggle for the Dodgers of late, dropping four straight games following Monday’s 8-3 home defeat to the Nationals. Los Angeles was swept this past weekend at Pittsburgh, then traveled cross-country for Monday’s contest that saw Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, and Howie Kendrick all sit out. Now, Los Angeles will try to get on track with one of its two aces taking the mound in Game 2 of this crucial series.
Zack Greinke (11-2, 1.71 ERA) shut down the Nationals the last time he faced them in Washington on July 19, tossing eight scoreless innings and striking out 11 in a 5-0 triumph. Greinke allowed a season-high six runs in his last start against the Phillies, but the Dodgers held on for a 10-8 win as a -265 road favorite. The former Cy Young winner is unbeaten in his last four starts at Chavez Ravine, while giving up just two earned runs in this stretch.
Washington counters with right-hander Joe Ross (3-3, 2.80 ERA), who silenced the Arizona bats in his last outing, an 8-3 home victory as a -175 favorite. Ross has walked just four batters in 45 innings of work, while tossing at least six innings in each of his past six outings. Since the All-Star break, the Nationals own a 4-7 road record, as Washington is listed as a road underdog of +145 or higher for just the second time this season.
Astros at Giants
Each of these teams is desperate to get on track heading into a quick two-game set at AT&T Park. San Francisco returns home after losing all four games at Wrigley Field to the Cubs, but still sits 2 ½ games behind Los Angeles in the NL West thanks to the Dodgers’ recent woes. The Astros have been awful away from Minute Maid Park recently, losing three of four this past weekend at Oakland, falling to 3-16 in their last 19 road contests.
It’s a battle of left-handers on the mound in the series opener with Madison Bumgarner and Scott Kazmir squaring off. Bumgarner (12-6, 3.28 ERA) has won four of his past five starts, while allowing one earned run in three of those outings, including one run in 7.1 innings of a 6-1 victory at Atlanta his last time out. All five of San Francisco’s home losses with Bumgarner on the hill have come as a favorite of at least -150, as the southpaw opened as a -140 favorite for tonight.
Kazmir (6-6, 2.08 ERA) makes his fourth start for the Astros since getting dealt from the A’s in late July. The southpaw suffered his first loss in a Houston uniform in a 4-3 loss at Texas last Wednesday, but Kazmir is listed in the underdog role for the third time this season tonight. The previous time Kazmir faced the Giants at AT&T Park last July, he scattered three hits in seven scoreless innings as the A’s pulled off a 6-1 victory.
Pirates travel to St. Louis
By Sportsbook.ag
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (65-44) at ST LOUIS CARDINALS (71-40)
Sportsbook.ag Line: St. Louis -155, Pittsburgh +145, Total: 7.5
The Pittsburgh Pirates look to make a dent in the NL Central lead held by the St. Louis Cardinals when they head to Missouri to begin a three-game set on Tuesday night.
Pittsburgh is making things interesting in the NL Central as the season inches closer to a finish and now sits five games behind the Cardinals after taking 11 of the last 15 games. They defeated two teams, the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers, who look to be headed to the playoffs in 6-of-7 attempts and most recently swept the aforementioned Dodgers over three contests. They outscored them 24-15 and capped it off with a big 13-6 victory on Sunday night, getting 16 hits and going 6-for-14 with RISP in the process. OF Andrew McCutchen (.301) is putting together yet another spectacular campaign and is 9-for-16 (.563) with two doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and seven runs in his last five games.
They will have a tough time catching up with St. Louis, though, as the perennial visitors to the playoffs own the league’s best record and come into this divisional matchup with a record of 15-7 since the All-Star break. They will be returning home following a six-game road trip in which they went 4-2 and earned a shutout in three of the wins. Two of those come in the most recent series against the Brewers, but they failed to finish the sweep with a close 5-4 loss on Sunday as the bullpen blew the lead in the eighth inning. OF Stephen Piscotty (.328) should be looking forward to heading back home as he is 12-for-27 (.444) with three doubles and five RBIs this season in front of the hometown fans.
Getting the call for Pittsburgh in this matchup will be LHP Jeff Locke (6-6, 4.31 ERA) as he takes on the young “ace” in RHP Carlos Martinez (11-4, 2.57 ERA) of the Cardinals. The Pirates have actually split their 52 games (26-26) when playing on the road in 2015, but will have a very tough task ahead against this St. Louis group which is an impressive 40-16 at home. The battle between these two teams has certainly tightened over the past few years and since the start of 2013, the Cardinals hold a slight 28-25 edge over Pittsburgh, but have dominated at Busch Stadium to the tune of a 19-6 record in that time. This year they have already met on 10 occasions and have split (5-5) the series with St. Louis again excelling (3-0) at home.
Some trends to watch include that the Pirates are 39-9 (.813) after two or more consecutive games at home this year as the Cardinals have gone 16-2 (.889) after a one run loss on the season. The injury report has a lot of depth missing for Pittsburgh with 3B Josh Harrison (Thumb) being the only significant omission from the lineup as St. Louis continues to play without 1B Matt Adams (Quad), OF Matt Holliday (Quad) and OF Jon Jay (Wrist).
Locke has been a fixture in the Pirates’ rotation for three years now and despite not being elite in anything has managed to post some solid numbers. As far as his ERA is concerned, this is the worst year he is having with at least 20 starts, but his FIP (fielder independent pitching) mark is at a career-best 3.91. His strikeouts (7.0 K/9) won’t blow anybody away as he struggles with control (3.4 BB/9) and he has left a mediocre 68.2% of runners on base. What he does do well is get the opposition to hit it on the ground which he has accomplished 51.1% of the time and that has helped limit the homers (0.76 HR/9). His team has won during each of his last three outings despite him not being able to get out of the sixth inning, totaling 15.2 frames with 11 runs allowed on 13 hits as he struck out 14 (7 walks).
Locke has pitched fairly well against the Cardinals in seven career starts, going 2-3 (4-3 team record) with a 3.55 ERA (1.45 WHIP) and was unlucky with three of his four runs allowed against them in their last meeting being unearned. OFs Jayson Heyward (5-for-16, 2 RBI) and Peter Bourjos (3-for-7, 1 RBI) have seen the ball well out of the lefties hand, but the likes of SS Jhonny Peralta and 1B Mark Reynolds are a pitiful 1-for-24 with eight strikeouts in the matchup. The bullpen for the Pirates has been solid, going 20-13 with a 2.78 ERA (1.24 WHIP) and has saved 38-of-49 (78%) games. Mark Melancon (1.56 ERA, 35 saves) has just one blown save on the year while getting batters to hit it on the ground an astounding 61.7% of the time and leaving 86.5% of runners on base.
Martinez is yet another polished superstar to come out of the St. Louis system and the 23-year-old has taken his game to a new level in 2015 as he ranks in the top-eight of the NL with 11 wins (5th in NL), 51 walks (2nd in NL) and a 2.57 ERA (8th in NL). In his first full season as a starter, Martinez has managed to strikeout more batters (9.1 K/9) than he did as a reliever in the past two years while having similar control (3.6 BB/9). He has allowed more homers (0.77 HR/9) though, but is able to limit the damage as he keeps 83.6% of runners on base. Martinez has the nice combination of both being able to get the opponent out via swings and misses while also keeping it on the ground (55.4% GB). He has now allowed one or fewer runs in seven of his last 10 outings and since the beginning of June has given up a mere 20 runs (16 ER) over 69 innings (2.09 ERA).
The youngster has not done well against the Pirates overall in his career, going 1-1 (2-1 team record) with a 5.31 ERA (1.45 WHIP), but was spectacular (7.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 8 K) when they last met on July ninth. Not many have hit Martinez well, but 2B Neil Walker (4-for-13, 2 HR, 4 RBI) has been huge in the matchup as 3B Pedro Alvarez and OF Starling Marte are a combined 1-for-18 (.056) with eight strikeouts against the righty. St. Louis owns arguably the best bullpen in baseball as they’ve gone 20-14 with a 2.26 ERA (1.24 WHIP) and have been successful at saving 45-of-57 (79%) contests. Trevor Rosenthal (1.57 ERA, 33 saves) has two blown saves on the year (94%) and has mowed down 9.9 batters per nine innings while allowing just one HR in his 51.2 frames (0.17 HR/9).