National League
Cubs @ Phillies
Hendricks is 2-0, 1.59 in his last two stats; five of his last seven starts stayed under. .
Eickhoff is 1-2, 2.75 in his last three starts; six of his last seven starts stayed under. .
Cubs are 11-2 in last 12 games; six of their last eight games stayed under. Philly is 4-13 in last 17 games; five of their last six games went over.
Mets @ Pirates
Matz is 7-0, 1.51 in his last eight starts; three of his last four stayed under. deGrom is 0-0, 3.06 in his last five starts (over 5-4).
Niese is 2-0, 2.25 in his last four starts (over 7-4). Nicasio is 1-2, 6.92 in his last five starts (over 5-5).
Mets are 4-6 in last ten road games, 6-3 in road series openers. Over is 7-4-1 in their last 12 games. Pittsburgh lost seven of last nine games; 5-4 in home series openers; their last seven home games went over.
Cardinals @ Reds
Leake is 4-1, 1.59 in his last five starts; six of his last eight went over.
Lamb is 1-3, 7.84 in his last four starts (under 3-2-1).
St Louis won six of its last nine games (over 6-3); they're 3-5 in road series openers. Reds won five of last seven games; nine of their last ten games went over. Reds are 4-6 in home series openers.
Braves @ Padres
Blair is 0-4, 8.13 in seven starts; four of his last five went over.
Rea is 0-1, 7.05 in his last three starts; four of his last five went over.
Atlanta is 10-18 on the road; four of their last six road games stayed under. Padres lost ten of last 15 games; ten of their last 13 games went over the total.
Rockies @ Dodgers
Butler is 0-2, 8.40 in his last three starts (over 3-3).
Urias is 0-1, 10.56 in his first two MLB starts (over 2-0).
Dodgers won ten of last 14 games; six of their last seven games stayed under total. Colorado lost ten of its last 14 games (over 9-5).
American League
Angels @ New York
Huff is making first '16 start; he is 25-28, 5.01 in 118 big league games (55 starts). He is 1-2, 4.58 in 15 AAA games this year (three starts).
Pineda is 1-3, 7.27 in his last five starts (over 3-0-2).
Bronx lost eight of last 13 games; under is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games. Angels are 8-5 in last 13 road games, with four of last five going over the total.
Royals @ Orioles
Ventura is 0-1, 5.68 in his last three starts; five of his last six starts went over.
Jimenez is 0-3, 12.42 in his last four starts; his last five starts went over.
Royals lost their last five games; over is 9-3-2 in their last 14. Baltimore won five of its last six games (over 4-2).
Blue Jays @ Tigers
Sanchez is 4-0, 3.00 in his last seven starts (under 5-2).
Boyd is 0-2, 5.56 in his two starts (over 1-0-1).
Toronto won nine of its last 12 games; under is 7-4v in its last 11 road games. Detroit won five of last six games; over is 16-5-2 in their last 23 home games.
Astros @ Rangers
Keuchel is 0-3, 6.61 in his last five starts (over 5-3-1 in his last nine).
Hamels is 0-1, 6.94 in his last two starts; his last five starts went over.
Astros are 11-3 in last 14 games, but lost 11 in row in Arlington; seven of their last nine games went over. Texas is 13-3 in its last 16 games, six of their last seven games went over the total.
Indians @ Mariners
Anderson is 1-3, 6.94 in his seven starts (over 5-2). .
Miley is 1-0, 11.05 in his last three starts; over is 5-0-1 in his last six. .
Indians won their last six games; over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games. Seattle lost eight of its last 11 games- over is 11-2 in its last 13 games.
Interleague
A's @ Brewers
Manaea is 1-2, 4.34 in his last three starts; three of his last four stayed under.
Davies is 3-0, 3.86 in his last five starts; four of his last six went over total.
Oakland lost its last five road games (over 4-1). A's are 6-3 in road series openers. Milwaukee is 8-5 in its last 13 games, 4-6 in home series openers; over is 8-3 in its last 11 games.
Nationals @ White Sox
Ross is 2-0, 1.29 in his last two starts; his last four stayed under.
Latos is 1-1, 7.06 in his last four starts; four of his last five went over.
Washington won eight of last 11 road games; seven of its last nine games went over the total. White Sox lost 10 of last 12 games; under is 7-2 in their last nine home games. Nationals are 6-4 in road series openers. chicago is 4-4 in home series openers.
Marlins @ Twins
Conley is 1-2, 4.56 in his last five starts (over 3-2-1 in his road starts).
Dean is 1-1, 4.00 in his three starts (under 2-1).
Marlins are 5-3 in their last eight games; over is 11-6-1 in their last 18 road games. Miami is 6-2 in road series openers. Minnesota lost six of last seven games; six of their last seven home games went over. Twins are 4-5 in home series openers.
Rays @ Diamondbacks
Moore is 1-1, 7.34 in his last six starts (over 5-0-1).
Greinke is 4-0, 2.57 in his last four starts (under 6-5-1).
Arizona.lost six of last eight games; four of last five Diamondback games stayed under the total. Tampa Bay won last four games; over is 15-2-1 in their last 18 road games.
Red Sox @ Giants
Porcello is 1-1, 6.17 in his last four starts; four of his last five went over.
Suarez allowed three runs in five IP (76 PT) in his first MLB start.
Boston lost four of its last five games; they're 5-4 in road series openers. Over is 4-2-1 in their last seven road games. Giants won their last five home games; six of their last nine games went over. SF is 4-4 in home series openers.
Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:
Chi-Phil-- Hendricks 5-5; Eickhoff 3-8
NY-Pitt-- Matz 7-2 deGrom 5-4; Niese 7-4 Nicasio 5-5
StL-Cin-- Leake 6-5; Lamb 1-5
Atl-SD-- Blair 1-6; Rea 5-5
Col-LA-- Butler 2-4; Urias 0-2
LA-NY-- Huff 0-0; Pineda 4-7
KC-Balt-- Ventura 7-4; Jimenez 5-6
Tor-Det-- Sanchez 7-4; Boyd 0-2
Hst-Tex-- Keuchel 4-8; Hamels 7-4
Cle-Sea-- Anderson 2-5; Miley 8-3
A's-Mil-- Manaea 3-4; Davies 4-5
Wsh-Chi-- Ross 6-4; Latos 8-2
Mia-Minn-- Conley 6-5; Dean 2-1
TB-Az-- Moore 4-7; Greinke 8-4
Bos-SF-- Porcello 7-4; Suarez 0-1
Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:
Chi-Phil-- Hendricks 2-10; Eickhoff 4-11
NY-Pitt-- Matz 7-2 deGrom 2-9; Niese 7-4 Nicasio 3-10
StL-Cin-- Leake 3-11; Lamb 4-6
Atl-SD-- Blair 3-7; Rea 5-10
Col-LA-- Butler 3-6; Urias 1-2
LA-NY-- Huff 0-0; Pineda 6-11
KC-Balt-- Ventura 3-11; Jimenez 4-11
Tor-Det-- Sanchez 2-11; Boyd 0-2
Hst-Tex-- Keuchel 4-12; Hamels 3-11
Cle-Sea-- Anderson 4-7; Miley 5-11
A's-Mil-- Manaea 1-7; Davies 3-9
Wsh-Chi-- Ross 1-10; Latos 4-10
Mia-Minn-- Conley 3-11; Dean 1-3
TB-Az-- Moore 3-11; Greinke 2-12
Bos-SF-- Porcello 2-11; Suarez 0-1
Umpires
Chi-Phil-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Winters games.
Atl-SD-- Favorites won five of last six Barksdale games.
Col-LA-- Six of last nine Joyce games stayed under.
LA-NY-- Over is 4-2-2 in last eight Bellino games.
KC-Balt-- Six of last seven Gonzalez games went over.
Tor-Det-- Three of last four Rackley games went over; his last two games went 13, 17 innings- favorites won his last five.
Hst-Tex-- Last three Emmel games stayed under; favorites won his last five.
Cle-Sea-- Over is 7-1-1 in BWelke games
TB-Az-- Eight of ten Ripperger games stayed under.
Armadillosports.com
MLB: Streak, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros get ready to duel again after the Rangers held on for a 6-5 victory last night. According to opening odds at Sports Interaction the Rangers are -$1.20 home favorites with the total set at 9.0 runs.
Rangers reeling off an 8-1 streak, 13-3 stretch over the last sixteen games look to keep the monmentum going handing the ball to Cole Hamels carrying a 5-1 record, 3.39 ERA. In his last effort, the southpaw tossed 7 inning of 6 hit 3 run ball getting tagged with a no-decision in the teams extra inning loss vs. Cleveland. Hamels 12-3 since joining Texas last August in twenty-five starts (18-7 TSR) is 2-0 in three games vs Houston since joining the club (3-0 TSR).
Astros in the midst of an 11-3 streak counter with lefty Dallas Keuchel, who has a 3-7 record, 5.50 ERA entering tonight's contest. Keuchel off a loss vs Arizona heads to the hill saddled with 1-6 skid, 2-7 teams start record his last nine on the mound. An opposing park has been an obstacle recently for Houston with Keuchel. In his last eight road starts vs a division opponent the Stros are 2-6 and in his last seven June road starts Houston is 1-6 including 0-4 in an underdog roll. Keuchel has a career 4-6 record vs Texas over 16 starts (7-9 TSR).
Sometimes in sports a team just has another team's number and that's the case for the Texas when it comes to Houston. The Rangers have won seven straight vs Stros this season, 15 of the past 17 in this Lone Star State rivalry including a sparkling 11-0 streak at Globe Life Park.
Tuesday's Diamond Notes
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Hottest team: Indians (6-0 last six)
Since dropping a pair of games as a heavy home favorite against the Rangers last week, the Indians have caught fire. Cleveland avoided a sweep against Texas with a walk-off victory in extra-innings, followed by a four-game home sweep against the defending World Champion Royals.
The Tribe continued its winning ways on the west coast on Monday by beating the slumping Mariners, 3-1 for their sixth straight victory to grab a 2 ½-game lead over the Royals in the AL Central race. During this hot streak, Cleveland’s pitching has stepped up by allowing three runs in the last four games. Cody Anderson makes the start for the Tribe tonight against the Mariners, looking to improve on his 1-3 record and ERA of 6.81.
Coldest team: White Sox (2-8 last 10)
Chicago returns home following a 2-7 road trip, capped off by getting swept at Detroit this past weekend. The task doesn’t get easier for the Sox, who host the NL East-leading Nationals at U.S. Cellular Field tonight. Chicago’s pitching gave up 22 runs in the three losses to Detroit, while allowing at least five runs in six of the nine games on the trip. The Sox haven’t been much better at home, losing seven of the last 10 contests on the South Side, while posting a 1-5 record in their past six series openers overall. Mat Latos takes the mound for Chicago, as the veteran right-hander is 6-1 on the season in spite of allowing 25 earned runs in his last six starts.
Hottest pitcher: Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays (5-1, 2.99 ERA)
Following Detroit’s 11-0 pounding of Toronto last night, the Blue Jays look to slow down the red-hot Tigers’ bats behind Sanchez. The Toronto right-hander lowered his ERA to 2.99 after tossing 6.2 scoreless innings in a 7-0 victory over the Yankees last Wednesday for his first home win of the season. Sanchez’s numbers away from Rogers Center are impressive, boasting a 4-0 record and 2.38 ERA on the highway. The Jays have won three of Sanchez’s last four starts in the role of a road favorite, as Toronto is a -130 favorite at Detroit tonight.
Coldest pitcher: Ubaldo Jimenez, Orioles (2-6, 6.59 ERA)
The Royals have lost five straight games, but the cure to their ills may come in the face of Jimenez. The Baltimore veteran allowed five earned runs for the fifth consecutive time in his past start against the Red Sox, but the Orioles’ offense bailed him out in a 12-7 victory. In spite of owning an ERA of 6.00 at Camden Yards this season, the Orioles are 5-2 in Jimenez’s seven home starts. Jimenez faces a Kansas City squad that has plated three runs in the last four games, but lit up the right-hander for 10 hits and seven runs in an 8-3 blowout last August.
Biggest UNDER run: Dodgers (7-2 last nine)
Los Angeles was held to one hit in Monday’s 6-1 loss to Colorado, snapping a three-game winning streak. The Dodgers have allowed six runs in consecutive games, but five times during this stretch Los Angeles has played in contests decided by four runs or more. Seven times in the last nine games, the Dodgers have scored four runs or less, while six of the past eight games played at Dodger Stadium have finished ‘under’ the total. The Dodgers send out 19-year old Julio Urias to make his third start, but the southpaw has been knocked around in his first two starts by allowing nine runs in 7.2 innings, resulting in two ‘overs.’
Biggest OVER run: Phillies (5-1 last six)
Philadelphia closed out May with five consecutive ‘unders,’ but the Phillies have switched gears in the totals department by going 5-1 to the ‘over’ in June. The Phillies have been involved several high-scoring games of late, combining for nine runs or more in four straight contests, including 10 in Monday’s 6-4 loss to the Cubs. That number may turn around tonight as Jerad Eickhoff takes the mound for Philadelphia, as the Phillies are 8-3 to the ‘under’ in his 11 starts this season, including an ‘under’ against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in late May.
Matchup to watch: Red Sox vs. Giants
San Francisco returns home following a 5-5 road swing to begin a quick two-game series with Boston. The Red Sox fell out of first place last night in spite of not playing, as Baltimore pulled into first by a half-game after beating Kansas City. Rick Porcello takes the mound for Boston tonight, as the right-hander has been involved in a pair of high-scoring losses on the road in his last two outings. Porcello began the season at 5-0, but the Red Sox are 2-4 in his last six starts, while allowing 14 earned runs in his last three road outings. The Giants are 6-1 in their past seven home contests, as Albert Suarez makes his second career start for San Francisco.
Betcha didn’t know: The battle of the Lone Star State has been one-sided this season as Texas owns a perfect 7-0 record against Houston after walking-off past the Astros on Monday. The Rangers look to keep up that unblemished mark tonight in a duel of southpaw aces with Cole Hamels and Dallas Keuchel taking the mound in Arlington. Hamels struck out 11 in eight innings the last time he faced the Astros in late May in a 9-2 victory, but Texas is 1-3 in his past four outings. Keuchel has been racked in two starts against Texas this season, allowing 22 hits and 13 earned runs in a pair of blowout losses.
Biggest public favorite: Cubs (-215) at Phillies
Biggest public underdog: Royals (+110) at Orioles
Biggest line move: Astros (+100 to -110) at Rangers
Dave's MLB Tuesday
By Dave Essler
Cubs/Phillies: I suppose given that Hendricks is the Cubs least viable -200 or more pitcher, and Eickhoff is reasonably solid at home - I could consider the Phillies RL, or at least NOT jump all over the Cubs at that price.
Reds/Cards: Leake returns to the scene of the crimes in Cincinnati, and against a Reds team that's hitting everything. I'd consider the Reds RL and perhaps the over (I haven't looked that the weather yet) since both bullpens fall under the "suspect" heading of late.
Braves/Padres: Blair has been horrible and Rea hasn't, especially at home. But, do I really want to back San Diego at -150 or more? Probably not - this could go over, again, and might close at 8.5 IMO.
Dodgers/Rockies: Lots of overnight and early morning money on Urias and Los Doyas, who lost to the Rockies last night - that's one I regret not betting, too. Given his early returns, I cannot lay -170 on LAD here. Butler CAN keep the ball down and in the park, so Rockies RL and under here.
Orioles/Royals: I have a tough time backing Ubaldo at any time, but Baltimore is a very streaky team. I have a hard time fading the Royals, who obviously have a bullpen and play sound fundamental baseball. Under.
Tigers/Jays: Unless and until Toronto starts hitting I cannot take them as a road favorite.
Houston/Texas: My instinct tells me that Keuchel will get it together. My other instinct says that the Rangers are just playing too well and have too much momentum after last night to fade.
Oakland/Milwaukee: Clearly more interesting and easier games (for me) to decipher. A's lose the DH, don't have Reddick. Manaea can go either was as can Davies - as can both TEAMS. Not sure I agree with the move to the under since this is a hitters' park and even tho both offense can be stagnant, theses aren't likely the pitchers' that are throwing gems, and there are no bulllpens.
Washington/Chicago: I can't take Latos simply because of what he would do to my ulcer, or the one he'll create, regardless of how he pitches because he is capable of implosion at any given moment. Washington gets a DH and although I like Ross, on the road I dunno yet but I think we see some runs.
Minnesota/Miami: I have no clue. The Twins haven't fared well (4-8,) against LHP but haven't fared well against ANY pitching. The Fish are 8-2 against LHP - so I suppose by default I'd take the Marlins who get a DH here. But, neither bullpen is worth betting on - so F5.
Arizona/Rays: I don't like Matt Moore and can't lay -160 or more with Grienke. Arizona showed just how bad things (and their bullpen can be last night - I don't like Tampa Bays' bullpen - the Rays (some of them) saw Zach in the AL. I have to think we see runs here, but 8 would be much better. Rays RL perhaps.
Red Sox/Giants: Not sure about Boston being a road favorite. It looks entirely too tempting to take them with Porcello, but their bullpen hasn't been sharp and they don't have a DH here. That would mean trusting Suarez, however. Under.
Mets, Pirates hook up
By Sportsbook.ag
NEW YORK METS at PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Sportsbook.ag Line: New York -127, Pittsburgh +117, Total: 7.5
Jacob deGrom and the Mets take on Juan Nicasio and the Pirates at PNC Park in the second game of a doubleheader.
Monday’s Mets-Pirates series opener was postponed due to rain, so the two clubs will kick off their three-game series with a traditional doubleheader on Tuesday. Game 1 is at 4:05 p.m., and Game 2 is scheduled for 7:40 p.m.
On the mound for the Mets in the second game will be RHP Jacob deGrom (3-1 2.62 ERA, 47 SO, 16 BB, 4 HR in 55 IP). The All-Star and former Rookie of the Year is coming off consecutive seven-inning, one-run outings, and his 10 strikeouts in his last start against the White Sox were a season high. In nine starts this season, deGrom has only allowed more than two earned runs three times.
He’ll be opposed by Pirates RHP Juan Nicasio (4-4, 4.75 ERA, 51 SO, 21 BB, 8 HR in 53 IP). The 29-year-old has allowed at least three earned runs in seven of his 10 starts this season. The Pirates have owned the Mets in recent years. Coming into Tuesday, Pittsburgh has gone 10-3 against New York since 2014, including a 6-1 mark at PNC Park. The Mets have gone 16-12 away from Citi Field, and the Pirates are 16-11 at home (entering play on Tuesday).
The Mets have been bit hard by the injury bug of late, as 3B David Wright, 1B Lucas Duda and C Travis d’Arnaud are all on the disabled list. LF Yoenis Cespedes was scratched from the lineup this past Saturday, but he pinch-hit on Sunday and was in Terry Collins’ lineup on Monday before the game was postponed.
2B Neil Walker, returning to Pittsburgh for the first time since being traded by the Pirates in the offseason, has gone 3-for-10 against Nicasio with a double and a triple. 1B James Loney, who was recently acquired by general manager Sandy Alderson to fill in for Duda, is 2-for-11 against him with a double.
SS Asdrubal Cabrera is 2-for-6 with a homer against the former Rockies hurler, and C Rene Rivera—playing in d’Arnaud’s absence—is 2-for-4 against him with a homer and a double. RF Curtis Granderson is 1-for-7 against Nicasio and CF Juan Lagares is 2-for-5 against him with a double and a triple. Nicasio hasn’t started against the Mets since 2014, though he did face them out of the bullpen with the Dodgers last season. In two career starts against the Mets, Nicasio is 2-0 with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.000. DeGrom is 1-1 with a 3.37 ERA on the road this season.
The Pirates haven’t seen much of deGrom. Only three players on Clint Hurdle’s roster—2B Josh Harrison, CF Andrew McCutchen and SS Jordy Mercer—have as many as five at-bats again him. Harrison is 0-for-5 against deGrom with three strikeouts, McCutchen is 3-for-5 with a walk and Mercer is 1-for-5 with two RBIs.
DeGrom has pitched brilliantly in his two career starts against the Pirates, posting a 1.35 ERA and a 1.349 WHIP, but he didn’t factor in either of those decisions. In May of 2014, deGrom tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Pirates, and a month later he allowed two runs against them in 6 2/3 frames. The Pirates won both of those games. Nicasio has struggled on the road this season, but he’s pitched very well at home, going 4-1 with a 2.54 ERA at PNC Park.
Tuesday's MLB Game of the Day: Astros at Rangers
By Covers,com
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers (A: -110, H: -110, Total: 9.0)
The Texas Rangers look to maintain their mastery of in-state rival Houston when the American League West foes continue a four-game series in Arlington on Tuesday. Rougned Odor's two-out RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Rangers to a dramatic 6-5 win in Monday's series opener, giving Texas a 7-0 record against the Astros in 2016.
The first-place Rangers, who are 22-9 at home, have also won four straight overall, eight of their last nine and 13 of 16. Texas starter Cole Hamels will try to improve to 3-0 against Houston this season when he gets the nod opposite fellow lefty Dallas Keuchel. Hamels has allowed two earned runs in 14 2/3 innings versus the Astros and struck out a season-high 11 in their previous encounter last month. Keuchel gave up seven runs in that meeting but has recovered with consecutive quality starts for the first time in 2016.
INJURY REPORT:
Astros - No relevant injuries to report.
Rangers - RF S. Choo (15-Day DL, hamstring), CF D. Stubbs (15-Day DL, Toe), LF J. Hamilton (Out For Season, knee), C R. Chirinos (Out Tuesday, forearm).
WEATHER REPORT: It is expected to be a perfect evening for baseball tonight in Arlington where the Rangers will host their in-state rivals from Houston. Clear skies, warm temperatures (80's), and a nice summer breeze (5 mph) blowing in from left field. I wish I could hop on a plane, grab a ticket, and plop myself in the outfield bleachers with a cold beverage for this one. Instead I'll just plop myself on my couch with a cold beverage to watch - not the same at all.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (3-7, 5.50 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Cole Hamels (5-1, 3.39)
Keuchel followed up his rough outing versus Texas with seven solid innings in a win over the Los Angeles Angels and then six more in a hard-luck loss to Arizona on Thursday. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner gave up three runs, struck out six and kept the ball in the yard for just the second time in his last six outings. The 28-year-old also surrendered a season-high 13 hits at Texas on April 22 and owns a 6.75 ERA in seven career starts at Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Hamels had a no-decision after allowing three runs and six hits in seven frames at Cleveland on Wednesday. He gave up one home run and has surrendered nine in his last five starts, lifting his career high home run rate to 1.7 per nine innings. Astros catcher/designated hitter Evan Gattis is 7-for-20 with three home runs against Hamels.
TRENDS:
* Astros are 7-0 in their last 7 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
* Astros are 1-5 in Keuchels last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
* Rangers are 6-1 in their last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
* Rangers are 11-2 in Hamels' last 13 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 8-1 in Astros last 9 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Over is 8-2 in Hamels' last 10 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
* Over is 7-0 in Keuchels last 7 road starts vs. Rangers.
CONSENSUS: The public is heavily on Cole Hamels and the Rangers with 78 percent of the wagers on the home team. Under 9 is picking up 62 percent of the total plays.