MLB weekend cheat sheet
By Marc Lawrence
In the MLB Cheat Sheet, a guide designed to help you isolate the best bets, we focus on two top series in both leagues on this weekend’s schedule. Keep in mind that all pitcher records are ‘team starts’ unless noted otherwise.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Florida Marlins at Chicago Cubs
Most Recent Series Result: Marlins 13-4 last 17 games vs. Cubs
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Marlins 6-2 last eight away games vs. Phillies
Key Day/Month Stat: Marlins 6-1 last six Fridays; Cubs 1-5 last six Fridays
Best Arm in the Series: Cubs’ Zambrano 7-0, 3.12 ERA last seven starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Cubs’ Lilly 1-4, 5.53 ERA lifetime
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
Most Recent Series Result: Mets 11-6 last 17 games vs. Phillies
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Mets 4-1 last five away games vs. Phillies
Key Day/Month Stat: Phillies 9-1 home on Sundays; Mets 0-6 on Sundays
Best Arm in the Series: Cubs’ Mets’ Maine 8-1, 2.54 ERA lifetime vs. Phillies
Worst Arm in the Series: Phillies’ Hamels 0-3, 5.83 ERA last three starts vs. Mets
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees
Most Recent Series Result: Angels 5-1 last six games vs. Yankees
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Angels 6-4 last 10 games away vs. Yankees
Key Day/Month Stat: Yankees 14-6 home on Saturdays; Angels 0-4 on Saturdays
Best Arm in the Series: Angels’ Weaver 3-1, 6.14 ERA lifetime vs. Yankees
Worst Arm in the Series: Yankees’ Pettite 0-3, 7.98 ERA last three starts vs. Angels
Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays
Most Recent Series Result: Rays 13-6 last 19 games vs. Red Sox
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Rays 11-3 last 14 home games vs. Red Sox
Key Day/Month Stat: Red Sox 4-0 on Saturdays; Rays 0-5 on Saturdays
Best Arm in the Series: Rays’ Sonnanstine 3-0, 1.34 ERA last three starts vs. Red Sox
Worst Arm in the Series: Red Sox’s Wakefield 0-5, 7.48 ERA last five starts vs. Rays; Rays’ Shields 2-9, 5.18 ERA lifetime vs. Red Sox
Baseball Today
SCOREBOARD
Saturday, May 2
Houston at Atlanta (3:40 p.m. EDT). Astros ace Roy Oswalt (0-2) tries again for his first win this season. He matches up against Braves rising star Jair Jurrjens (2-2), who is 0-2 with a 1.32 ERA in his last three starts.
STARS
Friday
— Evan Longoria, Rays, extended his torrid hitting against Boston pitching with a grand slam in Tampa Bay’s 6-2 victory.
— Randy Johnson, Giants, gave up four hits and struck out nine over seven scoreless innings in his 297th career victory as San Francisco beat Colorado 3-2.
— Jorge Posada, Yankees, hit a two-run single in the ninth inning off Brian Fuentes, completing New York’s rally from a five-run deficit in a 10-9 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
— Bronson Arroyo, Reds, bounced back from his worst start of the season to limit Pittsburgh to four singles over eight shutout innings in Cincinnati’s 4-0 win.
— Jose Lopez, Mariners, hit an RBI single to right field on the 14th pitch from Russ Springer with two outs in the ninth inning, and Seattle rallied from five runs down to beat the Athletics 8-7.
— Jeff Francoeur, Braves, hit a two-run homer and drove in another run to help the Braves beat the Astros 7-2.
— Albert Pujols, Cardinals, hit one of St. Louis’ season-high four home runs in a 6-2 win over Washington.
STELLAR AT HOME
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 1-0 on Friday night to improve to 8-0 at home for the first time since 1947, when the franchise was in Brooklyn. The year before, they set a franchise record by winning their first nine games.
SIDELINED
The Texas Rangers placed outfielder Josh Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left rib cage muscle. The Rangers made the move retroactive to Monday. Hamilton sustained the injury on April 12 in Toronto when he crashed into the outfield wall while chasing a flyball. … Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez is back on the disabled list, with strained right forearm. Chavez played in just eight games and was hitting only .100 (3 for 30), before landing on the DL for the fourth time in the last three years.
STREAKING
Ryan Zimmerman singled in the third inning of Washington’s 6-2 loss to St. Louis on Friday night, extending his hitting streak to a Nationals-record 20 games. It’s the longest streak in the majors this season. The last 20-game hitting streak by a Washington, D.C.-based player came in 1953 by the Washington Senators’ Mickey Vernon.
HOMER HAPPY
New York catcher Jorge Posada’s home run in its 10-9 win over the Angels on Friday night was the 29th homer at the new Yankee Stadium, tying Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium (1955), Houston’s Enron Field (2000) and Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park (2003) for most homers in the first eight games at a major league ballpark, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. It was the 20th homer to right field, where some believe a jet stream is carrying the ball.
SIDELINED CLOSERS
Philadelphia’s Brad Lidge threw before the Phillies’ 7-4 loss to the Mets on Friday night and said he’d be ready to pitch Saturday. Lidge hasn’t appeared in a game since last Saturday because of inflammation in his right knee. … Two Houston team doctors successfully drained 40 cubic centimeters of fluid from Jose Valverde’s right calf on Friday, one day after he had 20 cubic centimeters of fluid removed. Valverde’s expected recovery time is three to five weeks.
RED SOX HITTER
Evan Longoria hit a grand slam in Tampa Bay’s 6-2 win over Boston on Friday night, improving to 10-for-22 with four homers and 13 RBIs against the Red Sox this season.
SEEING THINGS
Brian McCann’s latest experiment with new contact lenses has ended, and the Atlanta Braves’ All-Star catcher plans to try to resume his season while wearing glasses. McCann, who said he has never worn glasses while playing, has had difficulty with blurred vision this season. He was placed on the disabled list on April 25, retroactive to April 23, and tried new contact lenses on a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Class A Myrtle Beach.
SPEAKING
“This shows that we can come back. We can come back against tough teams, and we do have a lot of weapons on this team that could pitch in and contribute for us,”—Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon said after New York rallied from a five-run deficit to beat the Angeles 10-9 Friday night.
FLORIDA vs. CHI CUBS
Florida is 14-5 SU in their last 19 games when playing Chi Cubs
Florida is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games
Chi Cubs are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Florida
LA ANGELS vs. NY YANKEES
LA Angels are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games on the road
LA Angels are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels
NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
ST. LOUIS vs. WASHINGTON
St. Louis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Washington
St. Louis is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
BALTIMORE vs. TORONTO
Baltimore is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Baltimore is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Toronto is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Baltimore
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Baltimore
CLEVELAND vs. DETROIT
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Cleveland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
HOUSTON vs. ATLANTA
Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Houston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Atlanta is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Houston
NY METS vs. PHILADELPHIA
NY Mets are 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Philadelphia is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing NY Mets
Philadelphia is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home
COLORADO vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Colorado is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
Colorado is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games
San Francisco is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Colorado
San Francisco is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
ARIZONA vs. MILWAUKEE
Arizona is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Arizona is 5-17 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Milwaukee is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games when playing Arizona
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona
CINCINNATI vs. PITTSBURGH
Cincinnati is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
BOSTON vs. TAMPA BAY
Boston is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games
Boston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Boston
Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
KANSAS CITY vs. MINNESOTA
Kansas City is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Minnesota
Kansas City is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games on the road
Minnesota is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Kansas City
Minnesota is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
CHI WHITE SOX vs. TEXAS
Chi White Sox are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
Chi White Sox are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Texas
Texas is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
Texas is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
OAKLAND vs. SEATTLE
Oakland is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Oakland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland
SAN DIEGO vs. LA DODGERS
San Diego is 4-11 SU in their last 15 games when playing LA Dodgers
San Diego is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Dodgers are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games
NATIONAL LEAGUE
N.Y. Mets (10-12) at Philadelphia (11-10)
The defending World Series champion Phillies will trot out ageless left-hander Jamie Moyer (3-1, 5.09 ERA) for Game 2 of their three-game set at Citizens Bank Park against the Mets, who will counter with southpaw Oliver Perez (1-2, 9.31).
In Friday’s opener, New York jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held off Philadelphia 7-4, with starter Mike Pelfrey (three runs, seven hits, 5 1/3 innings) getting the win and contributing two RBIs to the cause. Despite the victory, the Mets remain on a 4-7 skid in their last 11 starts, and they are on further slides of 1-4 on the road and 2-6 against winning teams, though they’ve won their last four Saturday contests.
Friday’s setback aside, the Phillies are 5-2 in their last seven and are on additional upticks of 35-17 overall (playoffs included), 9-1 against lefties, 5-2 in the N.L. East, 37-19 at home and 35-18 against losing teams.
This is the first series of the season between these rivals. With Friday’s victory, the Mets have won five of their last six outings in Philadelphia, and they are 12-7 overall in 19 meetings with the Phillies dating to the beginning of last season.
Moyer has won his last three starts, including Sunday’s 13-2 road wipeout of Florida in which he allowed one run on seven hits and a walk in six innings, with six strikeouts. The 46-year-old, making his fifth start of the season, is 1-1 with an inflated 6.55 ERA in two home starts.
Moyer has been solid against the Mets, going 7-4 with a 2.91 ERA in 17 career appearances, including 2-1 with a 3.53 ERA and three no-decisions in six starts last year. The Phillies are on a handful of runs with Moyer on the hill, including 4-1 overall, 5-1 at home, 9-3 at home against losing teams and 26-8 against the N.L. East.
The Mets have lost in three of Perez’s four starts this season, including an 8-1 rout last Sunday at Washington, with Perez getting tagged for seven runs (all earned) on nine hits in just 4 1/3 innings. He yielded a pair of homers, walked three and struck out three. Perez is 0-1 with an eye-popping 12.00 ERA in two road starts this year.
Perez is 2-3 despite a solid 3.15 ERA in 12 career starts against the Phillies, going 1-0 last year with a minuscule 0.35 ERA in four starts, with the Mets going 3-1 in those contests. Philly is just 1-5 in Perez’s last five starts, but backing Perez, they remain on runs of 10-4 against winning teams, 5-1 on the road against winning teams and 10-3 in division play.
The under is 8-2 in Moyer’s last 10 starts against the Mets and 4-0 in Perez’s last four outings against the Phillies.
The over for Philadelphia is on runs of 12-5-2 overall, 6-2-2 inside the division, 4-1-1 in Moyer’s last six starts and 9-4 with Moyer facing losing teams, and the over for New York is on streaks of 10-2-2 behind Perez and 5-0-1 with Perez throwing on the road. However, the under is on rolls of 4-1-1 in Philly’s last six home games, 4-1-2 overall for the Mets and 5-1-2 for New York against the N.L. East.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston (14-9) at Tampa Bay (10-14)
Right-handed knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (2-1, 1.86 ERA) takes the mound for the Red Sox in Game 3 of a four-game set at Tropicana Field against the defending A.L. champion Rays, who will start 6-foot-9-inch rookie Jeff Niemann (2-2, 4.43).
For the second straight night, Tampa Bay breezed past Boston, scoring all six of its runs in the fifth inning to overcome a 2-0 deficit and post a 6-2 victory. The Sox have dropped two in a row and three of four, but are still on runs of 12-3 overall, 4-0 on Saturday, 7-2 against the A.L. East and 8-3 against right-handers. On the downside, they are 9-24 in their last 33 starts on artificial turf, and they’ve been outscored 19-2 in the first two games of this series.
The Rays are on rolls of 62-25 at home (4-5 this year) and 47-15 at Tropicana against right-handers, but they’ve gone just 6-11 in their last 17 games overall (playoffs included) and are on additional skids of 0-5 on Saturday and 4-7 on artificial turf.
Tampa Bay has won four in a row in this rivalry and 15 of the last 21 overall, and the Rays have topped the Sox in 13 of the last 16 clashes in Tampa Bay.
The Red Sox have won three in a row behind Wakefield, including a 3-1 road victory over Cleveland on Monday in which the 42-year-old got a no-decision but threw seven shutout innings, allowing just one hit and four walks, with five strikeouts. During the three-game run, Wakefield has allowed just three earned runs in 23 innings (1.18 ERA), including a complete-game 8-2 win at Oakland in which he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. He is 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA in three road outings this season.
In 41 career appearances (31 starts) against Tampa, Wakefield is 19-5 with a 3.32 ERA, though he went 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA in three starts last year, including a 13-4 blitzing in the American League Championship Series. In that contest in Boston, he allowed five runs on six hits (three homers) in just 2 2/3 innings. With Wakefield on the hill, the Red Sox are on a 24-9 against a losing team, but they are on slides of 0-6 on field turf, 3-11 in the A.L. East and 7-15 on the road.
Nieman lost his first two starts of the 2009 campaign but has come back with a pair of wins. On Monday at Minnesota, he gave up one run on a solo homer and allowed just two more hits and four walks, with four strikeouts, in 5 2/3 innings of a 7-1 rout. The 26-year-old is 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA in two road starts this season. The right-hander, who had just five career appearances prior to this season, is facing the Red Sox for the first time.
The under is 5-2 in the last five Red Sox-Rays battles. Otherwise, though, the over for Boston is on streaks of 14-5 overall, 8-2 on the road, 16-5-1 on Saturday, 5-1-1 with Wakefield throwing, 5-1-1 on the road behind Wakefield and 5-1 with Wakefield facing an A.L. East foe. Similarly, the over for Tampa is on stretches of 4-1 at home, 36-17 against right-handed starters and 20-7 at home against right-handers.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
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ST LOUIS (17 - 7) at WASHINGTON (5 - 17)
JOEL PINEIRO (R) vs. SHAIRON MARTIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 17-7 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 17-7 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 70-51 (+19.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 64-119 (-34.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 6-23 (-15.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 64-116 (-31.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 37-81 (-33.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 26-64 (-29.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 2-0 (+2.1 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)
JOEL PINEIRO vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
PINEIRO is 1-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.08 and a WHIP of 1.177.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.4 units)
SHAIRON MARTIS vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.
FLORIDA (14 - 9) at CHICAGO CUBS (11 - 11)
ANIBAL SANCHEZ (R) vs. TED LILLY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 98-86 (+25.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 48-46 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 31-22 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 97-84 (+25.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 30-23 (+13.5 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 49-37 (+18.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 968-1020 (-188.8 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 518-475 (-113.0 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 380-349 (-76.0 Units) against the money line in home games in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 911-936 (-166.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 380-350 (-76.5 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 467-499 (-121.3 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 1-1 (+0.1 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)
ANIBAL SANCHEZ vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
SANCHEZ is 1-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 1.69 and a WHIP of 1.501.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)
TED LILLY vs. FLORIDA since 1997
LILLY is 0-4 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 5.53 and a WHIP of 1.409.
His team's record is 1-4 (-4.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-1. (+2.8 units)
NY METS (10 - 12) at PHILADELPHIA (11 - 10)
OLIVER PEREZ (L) vs. JAMIE MOYER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 80-74 (-25.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 51-50 (-14.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 41-17 (+20.7 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 3 seasons.
MOYER is 237-161 (+44.6 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MOYER is 27-9 (+18.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
MOYER is 70-25 (+28.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
PEREZ is 24-11 (+16.4 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)
MOYER is 25-40 (-22.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday since 1997. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
0 of 0 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)
OLIVER PEREZ vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
PEREZ is 2-3 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 3.14 and a WHIP of 1.441.
His team's record is 6-6 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-9. (-6.7 units)
JAMIE MOYER vs. NY METS since 1997
MOYER is 5-3 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 3.06 and a WHIP of 1.202.
His team's record is 8-5 (+4.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-10. (-7.6 units)
HOUSTON (9 - 14) at ATLANTA (11 - 11)
ROY OSWALT (R) vs. JAIR JURRJENS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 162-180 (-47.0 Units) against the money line in May games since 1997.
OSWALT is 15-24 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in May games since 1997. (Team's Record)
OSWALT is 6-15 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Saturday since 1997. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 15-3 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in home games in May games over the last 2 seasons.
JURRJENS is 14-4 (+10.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 95-89 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 93-88 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 83-101 (-26.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 82-99 (-25.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 77-89 (-22.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
ROY OSWALT vs. ATLANTA since 1997
OSWALT is 2-2 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.96 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 3-5 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-6. (-4.6 units)
JAIR JURRJENS vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.
COLORADO (8 - 13) at SAN FRANCISCO (11 - 10)
JASON MARQUIS (R) vs. MATT CAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 81-102 (-28.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 61-124 (-48.2 Units) against the money line in road games in May games since 1997.
COLORADO is 36-52 (-19.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 22-35 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 81-102 (-28.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 51-77 (-27.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 39-59 (-20.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 90-83 (+20.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
MARQUIS is 26-9 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 19-8 (+11.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 25-45 (-22.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 8-21 (-16.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 9-23 (-15.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 25-45 (-22.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 8-19 (-13.3 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against COLORADO this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)
JASON MARQUIS vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
MARQUIS is 3-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 1.86 and a WHIP of 0.939.
His team's record is 5-1 (+4.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.5 units)
MATT CAIN vs. COLORADO since 1997
CAIN is 6-4 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 3.01 and a WHIP of 1.236.
His team's record is 7-6 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-10. (-7.9 units)
ARIZONA (10 - 13) at MILWAUKEE (12 - 11)
DAN HAREN (R) vs. BRADEN LOOPER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 93-93 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 28-34 (-12.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 36-50 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 10-23 (-15.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 93-90 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 62-67 (-19.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 1-8 (-8.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 27-40 (-16.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 1-1 (+0.4 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)
DAN HAREN vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
HAREN is 0-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 0.800.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)
BRADEN LOOPER vs. ARIZONA since 1997
LOOPER is 0-0 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 8.68 and a WHIP of 1.501.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)
CINCINNATI (12 - 10) at PITTSBURGH (11 - 11)
MICAH OWINGS (R) vs. ROSS OHLENDORF (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 249-264 (+29.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 225-237 (+44.4 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 457-526 (+50.1 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 396-473 (+33.9 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 301-341 (+35.0 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 334-386 (+35.3 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-1 (+0.9 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)
MICAH OWINGS vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
OWINGS is 1-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 6.46 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.2 units)
ROSS OHLENDORF vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
OHLENDORF is 0-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)
SAN DIEGO (11 - 12) at LA DODGERS (16 - 8)
CHRIS YOUNG (R) vs. RANDY WOLF (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 25-52 (-24.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 74-110 (-35.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 74-110 (-35.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 52-80 (-25.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 31-12 (+14.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
WOLF is 21-7 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 16-3 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in home games in May games since 1997. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 21-7 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 11-2 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOLF is 8-0 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-2 (+1.5 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.9 Units)
CHRIS YOUNG vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
YOUNG is 2-4 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.93 and a WHIP of 1.417.
His team's record is 6-6 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-6. (-0.4 units)
RANDY WOLF vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
WOLF is 5-4 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 6.02 and a WHIP of 1.509.
His team's record is 6-4 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-4. (+1.8 units)
LA ANGELS (9 - 13) at NY YANKEES (13 - 10)
MATT PALMER (R) vs. C.C. SABATHIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 48-28 (+17.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 89-65 (+19.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 110-78 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 54-39 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 34-15 (+18.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 104-68 (+21.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 209-140 (-61.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 83-74 (-47.7 Units) against the money line in home games in May games since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 91-73 (-42.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)
MATT PALMER vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
No recent starts.
C.C. SABATHIA vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
SABATHIA is 5-5 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.48 and a WHIP of 1.440.
His team's record is 5-7 (-3.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-6. (-0.9 units)
BALTIMORE (9 - 14) at TORONTO (16 - 9)
BRADLEY BERGESEN (R) vs. ROBERT RAY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 26-57 (-23.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 14-39 (-24.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 124-232 (-103.5 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 62-117 (-38.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 38-23 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 76-59 (+12.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 137-165 (-60.7 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)
BRADLEY BERGESEN vs. TORONTO since 1997
No recent starts.
ROBERT RAY vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
No recent starts.
CLEVELAND (9 - 14) at DETROIT (11 - 11)
AARON LAFFEY (L) vs. ZACH MINER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 85-99 (-31.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 45-45 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 10-18 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 30-48 (-29.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 79-85 (-24.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 43-54 (-19.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 1-0 (+1.5 Units) against DETROIT this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)
AARON LAFFEY vs. DETROIT since 1997
LAFFEY is 0-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.70 and a WHIP of 1.199.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)
ZACH MINER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.
BOSTON (14 - 9) at TAMPA BAY (10 - 14)
TIM WAKEFIELD (R) vs. JEFF NIEMANN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 4-15 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 8-20 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 115-87 (+22.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 66-32 (+26.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 53-37 (+19.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 67-35 (+23.5 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 71-40 (+22.8 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 86-51 (+31.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 43-17 (+22.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 49-22 (+22.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 4-1 (+3.8 Units) against BOSTON this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)
TIM WAKEFIELD vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
WAKEFIELD is 17-6 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.66 and a WHIP of 1.235.
His team's record is 20-12 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 16-14. (+0.5 units)
JEFF NIEMANN vs. BOSTON since 1997
No recent starts.
KANSAS CITY (12 - 11) at MINNESOTA (12 - 11)
BRIAN BANNISTER (R) vs. GLEN PERKINS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 62-34 (+20.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 47-33 (+10.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 64-36 (+20.6 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 71-55 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 64-39 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 27-11 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 46-34 (+22.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 22-19 (+14.2 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 42-29 (+25.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BANNISTER is 11-3 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
BRIAN BANNISTER vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
BANNISTER is 3-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.40 and a WHIP of 1.160.
His team's record is 4-2 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-4. (-3.0 units)
GLEN PERKINS vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
PERKINS is 0-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 0.800.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)
CHI WHITE SOX (12 - 10) at TEXAS (10 - 12)
JOSE CONTRERAS (R) vs. BRANDON MCCARTHY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 19-11 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 67-66 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 64-61 (+12.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 51-42 (+20.4 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 11 to 11.5 since 1997.
CHI WHITE SOX are 95-67 (+19.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 56-32 (+21.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against TEXAS this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)
JOSE CONTRERAS vs. TEXAS since 1997
CONTRERAS is 1-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 8.69 and a WHIP of 1.678.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+1.8 units)
BRANDON MCCARTHY vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.
OAKLAND (8 - 12) at SEATTLE (14 - 9)
TREVOR CAHILL (R) vs. JARROD WASHBURN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 153-177 (-49.3 Units) against the money line in May games since 1997.
SEATTLE is 75-110 (-31.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 32-48 (-19.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 68-101 (-31.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 49-75 (-24.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 48-78 (-29.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
WASHBURN is 25-33 (-22.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
WASHBURN is 6-20 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 4-0 (+4.4 Units) against OAKLAND this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)
TREVOR CAHILL vs. SEATTLE since 1997
CAHILL is 0-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 1.29 and a WHIP of 0.714.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)
JARROD WASHBURN vs. OAKLAND since 1997
WASHBURN is 8-15 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.11 and a WHIP of 1.316.
His team's record is 14-19 (-5.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 15-17. (-3.8 units)
Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
Streaking
Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros)
Roy Oswalt could end up in Cooperstown someday, but the Houston Astros ace is focused only on the present.
The right-hander goes for his first victory of the season and first win against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday afternoon as the teams meet at Turner Field.
Oswalt (0-2, 3.94 ERA) allowed nine earned runs in dropping his first two starts this season, but he's yielded five runs in 19 innings over his last three outings.
He matched a season high with seven innings in Monday's 4-1 victory over Cincinnati, giving up one run and six hits.
Matt Cain (San Francisco Giants)
The San Francisco Giants' rotation boasts the reigning NL Cy Young award winner, but so far this season Matt Cain - not Tim Lincecum - has been the team's best pitcher.
Cain has delivered a quality start in each of his four outings, a trend he'll hope to keep up Saturday when the surging Giants continue their three-game set with the visiting Colorado Rockies.
Lincecum became a sensation for San Francisco last year, when he led the major leagues in strikeouts on his way to picking up the NL Cy Young in just his second season. He's begun to regain his form in his past three starts after a poor beginning.
The Giants (11-10), though, have some quality depth in their rotation, starting with Cain (2-0, 2.08 ERA). The burly right-hander has gone at least six innings in all four starts, and he hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of them.
Cain gave up one run and four hits in seven innings Sunday at Arizona, though he did walk four. He was in line for his third victory until the Diamondbacks scored three times in the ninth and won 5-4 in 12 innings.
"Cain did a great job," manager Bruce Bochy told the Giants' official Web site. "I thought we were going to win it for him, but then they stole it."
Cain has won both of his starts at AT&T Park after picking up only five wins in 18 outings there last season. He's faced the Rockies (8-13) eight times at home during his career, going 5-2 with a 1.95 ERA as Colorado hit just .180.
Tim Wakefield (Boston Red Sox)
Like his team, Wakefield has had little success against the Rays of late, going 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA in his last five regular-season starts versus Tampa Bay.
In his last two outings against the Rays - the second of which was a 13-4 loss in Game 4 of the ALCS - he totaled five innings and allowed six homers and 11 runs.
Wakefield (2-1, 1.86 ERA), though, has been dominant this season, limiting opponents to a .154 average. The 42-year-old knuckleballer gave up one hit in seven shutout innings of a 3-1 win at Cleveland on Monday night, although he didn't get the decision.
"I feel phenomenal," Wakefield told the Red Sox's official Web site. "I'm throwing a lot of strikes."
Slumping
Oliver Perez (New York Mets)
Oliver Perez is scheduled to take the mound for the New York Mets against the Philadelphia Phillies in his next two starts. If he doesn't show some signs of improvement in his first one, however, the second may never come.
The unpredictable Perez will essentially be pitching to keep his spot in New York's rotation on Saturday as the teams continue their three-game set in Philadelphia, but he'll do so with an excellent recent track record against the Phillies on his side.
Perez was excellent in his first full season with the Mets (10-12), going 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA in 2007 and looking like a top-of-the-line starter. His ERA rose to 4.22 last season and he won five fewer games, but was signed to a three-year, $36 million contract in the offseason.
So far, Perez (1-2, 9.31 ERA) is hardly living up to his end of the deal.
The left-hander has failed to make it out of the fifth inning in three of his four starts, and has 15 walks in 19 1-3 innings. After he allowed seven runs, nine hits and three walks in 4 1-3 innings in an 8-1 loss to woeful Washington on Sunday, manager Jerry Manuel voiced his displeasure.
"I'm really concerned about him at this point. I don't know what we do," he said. "The thing that concerns me is I don't see Ollie's stuff like I saw before. I don't know if he's going through a dead arm period or whatever, I don't know.
"If you see stuff and no command, that's one thing. If it's no stuff or command, that's a recipe for disaster."
National League
ST LOUIS at WASHINGTON
PINEIRO: STL 17-7 in games played on grass
MARTIS: WAS 3-17 revenging 2 straight home losses
FLORIDA at CHICAGO CUBS
SANCHEZ: FLA 8-3 as an underdog
LILLY: CHC 7-1 OVER after having lost 2 of their last 3
NY METS at PHILADELPHIA
PEREZ: 24-11 TSR on the road
MOYER: 25-40 TSR when playing on Saturday
HOUSTON at ATLANTA
OSWALT: 15-24 TSR in May
JURRJENS: 14-4 TSR after a team win
COLORADO at SAN FRANCISCO
MARQUIS: 26-9 TSR in day games
CAIN: 8-21 TSR when the total is 8 to 8.5
ARIZONA at MILWAUKEE
HAREN: ARI 1-8 after a team win
LOOPER: MIL 61-31 at home in teh first half of the season
CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH
OWINGS: CIN 35-62 after allowing 2 runs or less in 2 straight
OHLENDORF: PIT 36-25 at home when the money line is +125 to -125
SAN DIEGO at LA DODGERS
YOUNG: 7-0 TSR as an underdog
WOLF: LAD 16-4 UNDER in the first half of the season
American League
LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES
PALMER: LAA 24-8 playing with double revenge
SABATHIA: NYY 71-44 at home after allowing 9+ runs
BALTIMORE at TORONTO
BERGESEN: BAL 14-39 in day games
RAY: TOR 38-23 in day games
CLEVELAND at DETROIT
LAFFEY: CLE 63-35 UNDER in day games
MINER: DET 10-18 in May
BOSTON at TAMPA BAY
WAKEFIELD: BOS 4-15 in games played in a dome
NIEMANN: TB 71-40 in games played on artificial turf
KANSAS CITY at MINNESOTA
BANNISTER: 11-4 TSR as a road underdog of +100 to +150
PERKINS: MIN 13-3 OVER in May
CHI WHITE SOX at TEXAS
CONTRERAS: CHW 33-20 OVER after 2+ consecutive wins
MCCARTHY: TEX 13-3 OVER after 3+ consecutive unders
OAKLAND at SEATTLE
CAHILL: OAK 11-2 OVER revenging a loss as a road favorite
WASHBURN: SEA 11-30 after 2+ consecutive overs
** (TC) Denotes Time Change
American League Research
By Indiancowboy
Angels vs. Yankees
The Yankees won 10-9 in a slugfest in the last game. The Angels have lost both games to the Yankees in this series. Palmer gave up 4 runs in 6 innings to Detroit at home last time winning 10-5 in that contest. CC gave up 4 runs in 8 innings but lost 2-4. I would lean on the Under in this game, except the last two games have gone at least 11 runs in the past 2 games. No lean as the Angels look to avoid losing 3 in a row to the Yankees. CC is just 5-5 with a 4.48era against the Angels.
Baltimore vs. Toronto
The Os lost to Toronto 4-8 to Toronto in the last game as that is the contest we hit the over with yesterday for our Pod. Bergessen had a strong outing in his first start but got roughed up in his last start giving up 10 hits in 4 innings. He has helped the Os win both contests. Ray makes his first start of the year. Ray has been solid in his minor league starts (two of them) going 0-1 2.25 era. I would not be surprised to see this game dip Under as the total is 10.5.
Cleveland vs. Detroit
Cleveland won 6-5 at Detroit in their last contest. Laffey is 2-0 with a 2.41era. Miner had a great start against KC in his last effort. Both these pitchers are pitching well currently. Do note that Miner was 1-1 witha 5+ era against the Indians in about 9 innings of relief work. Laffey has been lights out so far and I expect him to continue to pitch well. I trust Laffey currently despite Miner coming on strong of late - lean on the Indians.
Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Boston has been outscored 2-15 in this series so far and TB has won the first 2 games of this contest. Wakefield has given up 3 runs in 23 innings and has helped the Sox go 3-0 in his last starts. He has been great for this team thus far. Wakefield is 2-1 with a 1.86era. After struggling a bit Niemann has put together back to back quality starts - giving up just 6 total hits in those 2 starts (around 11 innings total). Wakefield is 0-3 against the Rays of late though as he has struggled against TB - but Bos looking to bounce-back after getting crushed the last two games.
KC vs. Minnesota
KC loss 5-7 to Minnesota yesterday and looks to bounce-back. Bannister has been unbelievable today going 19 innings and yielding 1 run in that process as he is 2-0 with 0.69. Perkins has been great in his last 3 of 4 starts as he had 2 solid outings and was roughed up a bit against the Angels. He looks to bounce-back today as he is 1-2 with a 2.48era. Regardless, great dog price on the Royals on the bounce-back with Bannister taking the field. A small lean on the Under here, and a lean on the Royals given the value. Bannister has had success against Minny as he is 3-1 with a 3.40era against them and Perkins in 4 apperances vs. the Royals has a 2.16era. If you are looking for a live dog today, KC is worth a strong look. A solid lean on the Under here as well at 8.5.