Sunday's MLB Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
Sunday and Thursdays are travel days for Major League Baseball, meaning plenty of early games on today’s schedule. This baseball Tip Sheet is going to focus on four games featuring road favorites, two each in the American and National Leagues.
The marathon 162-game season is just one week old, so there are not a ton of trends jumping off the page right now. However, there is plenty of information on all the starting pitchers. Now let’s break down four of Sunday’s key contests.
**Mets (Santana) at Marlins (Johnson)**
-Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed New York as a $1.45 road ‘chalk’ over Florida, with the total set at 7 ½. This National League East contest is scheduled to start at 1:10 p.m. ET.
-New York ace Johan Santana (1-0, 1.59 ERA) tossed 5 2/3 innings against Cincinnati Monday, prevailing as a $1.60 road favorite, 2-1. The combined three runs never seriously threatened the 7 ½-run closing total.
-The southpaw was reached for the lone run on three hits with seven strikeouts and four walks. This marks his second start of the year.
-Santana won all three of his starts against the Marlins last year, going a combined 23 innings while surrendering five runs on 14 hits (two home runs) with seven walks and 24 strikeouts. New York prevailed as a $2.00 road ‘chalk,’ 7-2, as a $1.80 home favorite, 5-3, and as a $1.90 home ‘chalk,’ 2-0.
-The Venezuela native was 7-4 last year in 17 road starts, tossing a combined 114 innings while yielding 41 runs (38 earned) on 107 hits with 97 strikeouts and 25 walks en route to a 3.00 ERA.
-Florida right-hander Josh Johnson (1-0, 0.00 ERA) upended Washington Tuesday as a $1.50 home favorite, 8-3. The 6-foot-7 hurler tossed 6 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, scattering seven hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. The combined 11 runs eclipsed the 8 ½-run closing total.
-The 25-year-old won both matchups with the Mets last season, tossing a combined 13 2/3 innings while allowing six runs on 13 hits (one home run) with four walks and seven strikeouts. The Marlins triumphed as a $1.03 home underdog, 7-5, and as a $1.23 road ‘dog, 8-2. The ‘over’ cashed both times.
-Johnson went 3-0 last year in six home starts, going a combined 36 1/3 innings while being reached for 20 runs (19 earned) on 42 hits with 37 strikeouts and 10 walks for a 4.71 ERA.
-New York and Florida conclude a three-game series with this contest.
**Cubs (Dempster) at Brewers (Suppan)**
-LVSC opened Chicago as a $1.30 road favorite over Milwaukee, with the total listed at nine ‘under’ (minus $1.20). This NL Central affair is scheduled to start at 8:05 p.m. ET.
-Chicago’s Ryan Dempster (0-0, 3.00 ERA) received a no-decision against Houston Tuesday, yielding two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and three walks over six innings. The Cubs eventually dropped that contest as a $1.20 road favorite, 3-2, while the combined five runs went ‘under’ the 8 ½-run closing total.
-The Canada native went 4-0 against the Brewers last season in five starts, tossing a combined 30 innings while being reached for nine runs on 23 hits (one home run) with 10 walks and 28 strikeouts. The Cubs prevailed as a $1.30 home favorite, 6-3, as a $1.40 home ‘chalk,’ 19-5, as a $1.05 home ‘pick,’ 5-4, and as a $1.02 road underdog, 7-2. Dempster received a no-decision in a game the Cubs lost as a $1.10 road underdog, 5-1.
-The 12-year veteran was a modest 3-3 last year in 13 road starts with a 3.13 ERA, going 77 2/3 innings while yielding 33 runs (27 earned) on 65 hits with 24 walks and 73 strikeouts.
-Milwaukee pitcher Jeff Suppan (10-10, 4.96 ERA) dropped his season-opening effort against San Francisco Tuesday as a $1.50 road underdog, 10-6, while the combined 16 runs soared ‘over’ the 7 ½-run closing total. The veteran right-hander lasted four innings, surrendering six runs on six hits with a walk and a strikeout.
-The 34-year-old went 1-1 against the Cubs last year in three starts, going a combined 15 innings while being reached for 14 runs (11 earned) on 25 hits (four home runs) with four walks and eight strikeouts. The Brewers prevailed as a $1.50 road underdog, 8-2, and as a $1.13 home ‘chalk,’ 5-1, while losing as a $1.30 road ‘dog, 19-5.
-Milwaukee continues its six-game homestand after this contest with a three-game set against NL Central rival Cincinnati.
**Yankees (Chamberlain) at Royals (Meche)**
-LVSC lists New York as a $1.50 road ‘chalk’ over Kansas City, with the total set at nine ‘under’ (minus $1.25). This American League matchup is slated to begin at 2:10 p.m. ET.
-New York hurler Joba Chamberlain will be making his first start of the season. The Nebraska product went 3-1 last year in 12 starts, including a 2-1 road ledger and 2.61 ERA.
-The right-hander picked-up a no-decision against the Royals last season, yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits (one home run) with a walk and five strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. The Yankees eventually won that affair as a $1.95 home favorite, 6-3. The nine runs landed directly on the closing total.
-New York is in the midst of its season-opening nine-game road trip before returning home to open its new stadium April 16 against Cleveland.
-Kansas City counters with Gil Meche (0-0, 1.29 ERA) who pitched seven solid innings against Chicago Tuesday in a no-decision. The 30-year-old was reached for one run on seven hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
-The Royals ended up dropping that contest as a $1.20 road underdog, 4-2, while the combined six runs failed to topple the 8 ½-run closing total. The ‘under’ has cashed the first three games for Kansas City.
-Meche received a no-decision against the Yankees last year, tossing six innings while allowing one run on six hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. The Royals won that affair as a $1.90 road underdog, 4-3, while the combined seven runs went ‘under’ the nine-run closing total.
-This matchup concludes a three-game series with the Yankees before hosting Cleveland for three games.
**Red Sox (Beckett) at Angels (Moseley)**
-LVSC opened Boston as a $1.50 road favorite over Los Angeles, with the total set at 8 ½ ‘under’ (minus $1.20). This game is scheduled to start at 3:35 p.m. ET.
-Boston right-hander Josh Beckett (1-0, 1.29) started out the 2009 campaign by knocking off Tampa Bay Tuesday as a $1.55 home ‘chalk,’ 5-3. The combined eight runs slithered ‘under’ the 8 ½-run closing total.
-The Texas native was reached for one run on two hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts over seven innings.
-Beckett dropped both decisions against the Angels last season, going a combined 13 1/3 innings while yielding 12 runs (11 earned) on 20 hits (two home runs) with two walks and 14 strikeouts. The Red Sox fell as a $1.20 road favorite, 4-2, and as a $1.85 home ‘chalk,’ 9-2.
-The 6-foot-5 hurler as 7-5 last year in 15 road starts with a 2.85 ERA, surrendering 33 runs (32 earned) on 86 hits with 20 walks and 105 strikeouts over 101 innings.
-Los Angeles gives the starting nod to right-hander Dustin Moseley, hoping the 27-year-old can earn his first victory of the year. The four-year veteran received a no-decision against Oakland Tuesday, scattering nine hits for three runs with no walks and four strikeouts over six innings.
-The Angels ended up dropping that contest as a $1.15 home favorite, 6-4, while the combined 10 runs went ‘over’ the nine-run closing total.
-Moseley did not start a game against Boston last season, but did post a 2-2 home ledger in four starts during 2008 with a 6.53 ERA.
-Los Angeles wraps up a season-opening seven-game homestand with this contest before embarking on a six-game road trip.
vegasinsider.com
Sunday Night Baseball: Cubs at Brewers
By Matt Fargo
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers (+128, 8.5)
The betting numbers
The Cubs opened as -130 favorites and were bet up to -140 rather quickly. The total opened at nine runs and is currently 8.5 at most books.
2008-09 season series
2008 saw the Cubs win the season series nine games to seven but the real story was the lack of a home-field advantage. The road team took 10 of those 16 games with Chicago winning five of the seven meetings at Miller Park.
The Brewers opened with a win in the first game of this series Friday but fell 6-5 to Chicago on a two-run home run from Alfonso Soriano in the ninth inning Saturday night.
The teams
The two top contenders in the National League Central square off on ESPN. The Cubs won their first series in Houston two games to one thanks to solid pitching and strong hitting. Chicago dropped Game 1 of this series Friday despite out-hitting the Brewers 9-4 and narrowly escaped with a one-run win Saturday.
It was the bullpen that was responsible for the first two losses this season, namely Kevin Gregg. He allowed a broken-bat single in the 10th inning in Houston and then took the loss Friday after surrendering a double, two walks and a wild pitch. The reserve arms almost caught the brunt of the blame again Saturday after Angel Guzman allowed two runs on two hits and walked two batters in 1/3 innings work.
Milwaukee lost its opening series in San Francisco. Jeff Suppan and Manny Parra were both lit up. Starting pitching looked to be the biggest issue entering the season and it is already a problem despite good performances from Braden Looper and Yovani Gallardo in the other two games.
The offense showed some life Saturday but is still hitting only .208 BA through the first six games. While it is early, the hitting will be asked to make up for pitching problems this year. Home field was huge for the Brewers last season and it will be just as important this year.
Pitching matchup
Ryan Dempster is making his second start of the season and he hopes to continue his domination against the Brewers. On opening day in Houston, he pitched well allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in six innings in a no-decision. He is coming off a phenomenal 2008 season where he went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA in 33 starts. Any doubt that he would be unable to make the transition from bullpen to starter was quickly dismissed.
Against the Brewers, Dempster is 8-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 35 career appearances that includes 13 starts. He posted a 2.40 ERA in five starts against Milwaukee with four of those being quality outings.
Suppan did not get off to the start he was looking for on opening day. He was tagged for six runs on six hits and a walk in just four innings. That extended his lousy finish from last season where he went 0-4 with a 9.25 ERA in six starts in September and October.
However, his best outings over that stretch came against the Cubs where he allowed just one run in five innings which was his second solid performance against Chicago last year. Those were sandwiched around a clunker of an effort at Wrigley where he allowed 11 runs in 3.2 innings in a 19-5 Brewers loss.
NY METS (3 - 2) at FLORIDA (4 - 1)
JOHAN SANTANA (L) vs. JOSH JOHNSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 7-20 (-16.3 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 47-31 (+23.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 39-36 (+14.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 88-78 (+22.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 44-32 (+19.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 87-76 (+23.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
JOHNSON is 12-3 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 10-0 (+11.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JOHNSON is 12-3 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SANTANA is 143-67 (+41.3 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
SANTANA is 79-27 (+37.7 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 1-1 (+0.1 Units) against FLORIDA this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)
JOHAN SANTANA vs. FLORIDA since 1997
SANTANA is 5-0 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 1.84 and a WHIP of 0.961.
His team's record is 5-0 (+5.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+1.9 units)
JOSH JOHNSON vs. NY METS since 1997
JOHNSON is 4-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 1.76 and a WHIP of 1.043.
His team's record is 4-1 (+4.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+0.7 units)
PITTSBURGH (3 - 2) at CINCINNATI (1 - 3)
IAN SNELL (R) vs. AARON HARANG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 65-88 (-35.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 16-24 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 44-64 (-24.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 1-0 (+1.3 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
IAN SNELL vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
SNELL is 4-6 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 5.21 and a WHIP of 1.751.
His team's record is 4-7 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-5. (+0.5 units)
AARON HARANG vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
HARANG is 11-5 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 4.29 and a WHIP of 1.188.
His team's record is 12-8 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-10. (-2.0 units)
WASHINGTON (0 - 5) at ATLANTA (4 - 1)
SCOTT OLSEN (L) vs. JAIR JURRJENS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 59-107 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 25-61 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 13-45 (-22.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 33-73 (-31.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 14-35 (-17.7 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 24-56 (-24.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 91-80 (+40.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 76-91 (-20.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 75-89 (-19.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)
SCOTT OLSEN vs. ATLANTA since 1997
OLSEN is 2-4 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 6.52 and a WHIP of 1.631.
His team's record is 4-6 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-4. (+0.5 units)
JAIR JURRJENS vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
JURRJENS is 1-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.70 and a WHIP of 1.151.
His team's record is 1-3 (-3.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.6 units)
HOUSTON (1 - 4) at ST LOUIS (4 - 2)
WANDY RODRIGUEZ (L) vs. KYLE LOHSE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LOHSE is 21-10 (+11.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 87-79 (+18.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 17-9 (+11.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 85-78 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 43-40 (+13.5 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 (+2.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)
WANDY RODRIGUEZ vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
RODRIGUEZ is 2-6 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 3.90 and a WHIP of 1.188.
His team's record is 3-6 (-3.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-2. (+2.5 units)
KYLE LOHSE vs. HOUSTON since 1997
LOHSE is 4-3 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 2.87 and a WHIP of 1.181.
His team's record is 4-4 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.5 units)
PHILADELPHIA (2 - 3) at COLORADO (3 - 2)
CHAN HO PARK (R) vs. AARON COOK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PARK is 54-31 (+23.4 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)
PARK is 78-52 (+21.8 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 35-52 (-17.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 19-31 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 47-70 (-25.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)
CHAN HO PARK vs. COLORADO since 1997
PARK is 9-6 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 4.90 and a WHIP of 1.594.
His team's record is 10-6 (+1.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-6. (+2.0 units)
AARON COOK vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
COOK is 1-4 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 6.37 and a WHIP of 1.670.
His team's record is 2-4 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+1.0 units)
SAN FRANCISCO (2 - 3) at SAN DIEGO (4 - 2)
TIM LINCECUM (R) vs. CHRIS YOUNG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 61-42 (+27.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 366-353 (+46.0 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
SAN DIEGO is 24-42 (-19.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 67-100 (-33.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 67-100 (-33.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 43-65 (-20.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)
TIM LINCECUM vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
LINCECUM is 3-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 0.95 and a WHIP of 1.130.
His team's record is 7-1 (+6.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-1. (+6.0 units)
CHRIS YOUNG vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
YOUNG is 1-4 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.03 and a WHIP of 1.208.
His team's record is 3-5 (-3.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-4. (-1.4 units)
LA DODGERS (3 - 3) at ARIZONA (2 - 3)
RANDY WOLF (L) vs. DAN HAREN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 85-83 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 36-48 (-26.9 Units) against the money line in home games after allowing 10 runs or more since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 1-1 (+0.1 Units) against ARIZONA this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)
RANDY WOLF vs. ARIZONA since 1997
WOLF is 6-3 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.62 and a WHIP of 1.447.
His team's record is 8-4 (+6.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-6. (-1.0 units)
DAN HAREN vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
HAREN is 3-3 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 4.54 and a WHIP of 1.515.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.5 units)
CHICAGO CUBS (3 - 2) at MILWAUKEE (2 - 3)
RYAN DEMPSTER (R) vs. JEFF SUPPAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 960-1011 (-185.2 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 903-927 (-162.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 463-495 (-119.5 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 477-453 (-99.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
SUPPAN is 22-8 (+15.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
DEMPSTER is 102-95 (+20.5 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DEMPSTER is 41-25 (+24.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
DEMPSTER is 89-83 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 1-1 (+0.3 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)
RYAN DEMPSTER vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
DEMPSTER is 8-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 2.92 and a WHIP of 1.239.
His team's record is 9-4 (+4.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-5. (+1.5 units)
JEFF SUPPAN vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
SUPPAN is 6-6 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.478.
His team's record is 9-10 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-11. (-5.5 units)
TEXAS (3 - 2) at DETROIT (3 - 3)
KEVIN MILLWOOD (R) vs. EDWIN JACKSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 45-39 (+11.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 148-156 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 60-54 (+15.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 25-40 (-18.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 77-91 (-30.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 71-77 (-23.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 50-67 (-28.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against TEXAS this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)
KEVIN MILLWOOD vs. DETROIT since 1997
MILLWOOD is 4-4 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.91 and a WHIP of 1.220.
His team's record is 6-5 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 9-1. (+7.8 units)
EDWIN JACKSON vs. TEXAS since 1997
JACKSON is 1-2 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.25 and a WHIP of 1.120.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.2 units)
TORONTO (5 - 1) at CLEVELAND (0 - 5)
DAVID PURCEY (L) vs. ANTHONY REYES (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 35-21 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 12-20 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 18-32 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 37-46 (-16.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
REYES is 8-18 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
REYES is 7-18 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 2-0 (+2.4 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)
DAVID PURCEY vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
PURCEY is 0-1 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)
ANTHONY REYES vs. TORONTO since 1997
REYES is 1-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 1.42 and a WHIP of 1.264.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)
TAMPA BAY (2 - 3) at BALTIMORE (4 - 1)
JAMES SHIELDS (R) vs. ADAM EATON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 19-12 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 107-76 (+27.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 49-35 (+17.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 78-47 (+28.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 470-511 (-106.4 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 4-21 (-17.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 170-229 (-70.1 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 13-35 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 470-511 (-106.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 2-0 (+2.1 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)
JAMES SHIELDS vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
SHIELDS is 4-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.21 and a WHIP of 1.238.
His team's record is 7-5 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-5. (+0.4 units)
ADAM EATON vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
EATON is 0-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 4.09 and a WHIP of 1.545.
His team's record is 0-2 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)
MINNESOTA (3 - 3) at CHI WHITE SOX (2 - 3)
NICK BLACKBURN (R) vs. MARK BUEHRLE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 57-31 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 31-11 (+16.1 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 22-7 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 88-61 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BUEHRLE is 97-47 (+33.8 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BUEHRLE is 97-47 (+33.8 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 1-1 (+0.2 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)
NICK BLACKBURN vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
BLACKBURN is 2-3 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 4.86 and a WHIP of 1.590.
His team's record is 2-4 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-2. (+1.6 units)
MARK BUEHRLE vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
BUEHRLE is 21-13 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.78 and a WHIP of 1.346.
His team's record is 22-13 (+6.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 18-17. (-0.6 units)
NY YANKEES (3 - 2) at KANSAS CITY (2 - 3)
JOBA CHAMBERLAIN (R) vs. GIL MECHE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 43-32 (+21.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 31-28 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MECHE is 14-7 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MECHE is 31-14 (+16.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
MECHE is 11-4 (+10.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)
JOBA CHAMBERLAIN vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
CHAMBERLAIN is 0-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 4.16 and a WHIP of 1.386.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)
GIL MECHE vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
MECHE is 3-4 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.37 and a WHIP of 1.389.
His team's record is 5-8 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-10. (-7.6 units)
BOSTON (2 - 3) at LA ANGELS (2 - 3)
JOSH BECKETT (R) vs. DUSTIN MOSELEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BECKETT is 6-12 (-11.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 103-68 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 31-12 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 97-61 (+20.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 145-99 (+24.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 43-23 (+16.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 95-57 (+20.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 46-16 (+26.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 1-1 (-0.1 Units) against BOSTON this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
JOSH BECKETT vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
BECKETT is 3-2 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.61 and a WHIP of 1.261.
His team's record is 4-4 (-1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-4. (-1.4 units)
DUSTIN MOSELEY vs. BOSTON since 1997
MOSELEY is 0-0 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 11.56 and a WHIP of 2.355.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)
SEATTLE (4 - 2) at OAKLAND (2 - 3)
ERIK BEDARD (L) vs. TREVOR CAHILL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 27-46 (-20.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 65-103 (-34.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 26-45 (-22.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 58-94 (-34.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 40-72 (-31.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 83-63 (+28.0 Units) against the money line in road games in April games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 2-0 (+2.4 Units) against OAKLAND this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)
ERIK BEDARD vs. OAKLAND since 1997
BEDARD is 2-3 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.58 and a WHIP of 1.212.
His team's record is 2-6 (-5.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-4. (-0.3 units)
TREVOR CAHILL vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.
National League
NY METS at FLORIDA
SANTANA: Mets 7-20 Away with a money line of -100 to -125
JOHNSON: 10-0 TSR vs. division opponents
PITTSBURGH at CINCINNATI
SNELL: 13-3 Over on Sunday
HARANG: Cincinnati 44-64 vs. righties
WASHINGTON at ATLANTA
OLSEN: Washington 17-45 with double revenge
JURRJENS: Atlanta 13-7 at home vs. Washington
HOUSTON at ST LOUIS
RODRIGUEZ: Houston 47-27 Under off a loss
LOHSE: 21-10 TSR vs. division opponents
PHILADELPHIA at COLORADO
PARK: 54-31 TSR in day games
COOK: Colorado 19-31 in day games
SAN FRANCISCO at SAN DIEGO
LINCECUM: 13-3 TSR off BB team losses
YOUNG: 12-1 Under at home 1st half of season
LA DODGERS at ARIZONA
WOLF: 14-3 Under 1st half of season
HAREN: Arizona 95-66 off an Over
CHICAGO CUBS at MILWAUKEE
DEMPSTER: Cubs 10-5 at Milwaukee
SUPPAN: Milwaukee 35-17 Under at home off one run division loss
American League
TEXAS at DETROIT
MILLWOOD: Texas 34-13 Over vs. AL Central
JACKSON: Detroit 8-3 at home vs. Texas
TORONTO at CLEVELAND
PURCEY: Toronto 35-21 in day games
REYES: 9-16 TSR as favorite
TAMPA BAY at BALTIMORE
SHIELDS: TB 34-13 after scoring 2 runs or less
EATON: Baltimore 4-21 on Sundays
MINNESOTA at CHICAGO WHITE SOX
BLACKBURN: 11-0 Over Away after scoring 1 run or less
BUEHRLE: 85-37 TSR as home favorite
NY YANKEES at KANSAS CITY
CHAMBERLAIN: Yankees 9-3 at Kansas City
MECHE: 14-9 TSR as an underdog
BOSTON at LA ANGELS
BECKETT: 1-8 TSR after giving up 1 or less ER last outing
MOSELEY: Angels 31-12 in day games
SEATTLE at OAKLAND
BEDARD: Seattle 10-29 off BB Overs
CAHILL: Oakland 34-18 Under vs. lefties
TEXAS vs. DETROIT
Texas is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing Detroit
Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
TORONTO vs. CLEVELAND
Toronto is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games when playing Cleveland
Toronto is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
NY METS vs. FLORIDA
NY Mets are 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Florida
Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Florida is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
PITTSBURGH vs. CINCINNATI
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cincinnati is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Cincinnati is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
TAMPA BAY vs. BALTIMORE
Tampa Bay is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing Baltimore
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Baltimore is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games when playing Tampa Bay
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
WASHINGTON vs. ATLANTA
Washington is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
MINNESOTA vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Minnesota is 1-7 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games at home
Chi White Sox are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games
NY YANKEES vs. KANSAS CITY
NY Yankees are 10-3 SU in their last 13 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
NY Yankees are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Kansas City is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games
HOUSTON vs. ST. LOUIS
Houston is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
St. Louis is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
St. Louis is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home
PHILADELPHIA vs. COLORADO
Philadelphia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Colorado
Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Colorado is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
BOSTON vs. LA ANGELS
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Angels
LA Angels are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing Boston
LA Angels are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Boston
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
San Francisco is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing San Diego
San Francisco is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
San Diego is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
San Diego is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
SEATTLE vs. OAKLAND
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Seattle is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Oakland is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
Oakland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
LA DODGERS vs. ARIZONA
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Arizona
LA Dodgers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Arizona
Arizona is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
Arizona is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing LA Dodgers
CHI CUBS vs. MILWAUKEE
Chi Cubs are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Chi Cubs are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games
Milwaukee is 4-8 SU in their last 12 games when playing Chi Cubs
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Tips and Trends
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers
Cubs (-140, O/U 8.5): Ryan Dempster converted from a closer into a starter last season and responded by going 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA. Dempster went 4-0 with a 2.40 ERA in five starts versus Milwaukee in 2008, striking out 28 in 30 innings, and is 8-1 with a 2.92 ERA lifetime as a starter against the Brewers. The Cubs bullpen has been shaky, posting a 3.55 ERA and 1.58 WHIP, while sporting a 7/9 K/BB ratio. “He came in and did a heck of a job,” Piniella said of Carlos Marmol before quickly diffusing any controversy of him supplanting Gregg as the closer. “I said when the season started that there would be opportunities for both of them. (Sunday) if we get in a similar situation, Gregg will be in there.”
The Over is 13-4-2 in the last 19 meetings in Milwaukee.
The Under is 10-2 in the Cubs' last 12 games as a road favorite.
Key Injuries - C Geovany Soto (missed the last 3 games) is listed as Day-to-Day (shoulder).
PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side Play of the Day)
Brewers: Jeff Suppan struggled in his 2009 debut, getting reached for six runs and six hits in four innings of Milwaukee’s 10-6 loss at San Francisco on Tuesday. Two of those hits - a triple by Travis Ishikawa and home run by Aaron Rowand - accounted for five of those runs. The right-hander went 1-1 in three starts totaling 15 innings against the Cubs last season. Suppan is 6-6 with a 3.60 ERA in 19 lifetime starts against Chicago. Cubs slugger Alfonso Soriano enters this game 7-for-39 (.179) with eight strikeouts against Suppan.
The Under is 12-3-1 in Suppan's last 16 starts following a team loss.
The Brewers are 5-16 in their last 21 games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - Closer Trevor Hoffman is on the 15-day DL (oblique).
PROJECTED SCORE: 3
Hot Pitchers
-- Jurrjens is 3-1, 3.45 in his last five starts.
-- Mets won Santana's last six road starts. Marlins won six of last seven Johnson home starts.
-- Rodriguez has 1.46 RA in his last five starts. Lohse is 3-0, 3.48 in his last five starts.
-- Haren has 2.48 RA in his last four starts. Wolf is 4-2, 3.11 in his last six outings.
-- Young is 4-1, 1.80 in his last five starts. Giants are 9-4 in last thirteen Lincecum starts (2.39 RA last seven road starts).
-- Dempster was 4-0, 2.22 in five starts against the Brewers LY.
-- Millwood was 1-0, 2.81 in two starts vs Detroit LY.
-- AReyes was 2-1, 2.08 in six starts LY.
-- Orioles were 0-5 against Shields LY (3-0, 3.60).
-- White Sox won last ten Buehrle home starts.
-- Chamberlain is 2-0, 3.04 in his last four starts. Meche has 2.42 RA in his last four starts.
-- Bedard is 2-0, 2.43 in his last six starts.
Cold Pitchers
-- Olsen is 0-2, 9.00 in his last three starts.
-- Harang was 0-2, 4.76 in three starts against Pittsburgh LY. Snell had a 5.40 RA in four starts against the Reds LY.
-- Park has made 280 career starts; he was 1-0, 2.88 in five starts LY. .
-- Cook is 0-2, 5.23 in his last five starts.
-- Suppan is 0-5, 9.93 in his last seven starts.
-- Jackson is 2-3, 6.62 in his last six starts.
-- Purcey is 0-1, 6.27 in his last three starts.
-- Eaton is 1-5, 9.00 in his last six starts.
-- Blackburn is 1-3, 7.89 in his last five starts.
-- Cahill gave up three runs in five IP in his big league debut Tuesday.
-- Angels got 12 runs in 10.1 innings vs Beckett LY (2-0). Moseley has a 5.48 RA in his last eight starts (1-2).
Hot Teams
-- Cardinals won four of their last five games.
-- Colorado won three of its last four games.
-- Marlins won four of their first five games.
-- Braves won four of first five games, scoring 30 runs.
-- Padres won last three games, allowing total of nine runs.
-- Tigers won three of their last four games.
-- Bronx won its last three games, 11-2/4-1/6-1.
-- Blue Jays won five of their first six games.
-- Orioles won four of their first five games.
-- Mariners won last three games, outscoring foes 15-9.
Cold Teams
-- Reds lost three of first four games, allowing 25 runs in last three.
-- Washington lost its first five games, outscored 37-21.
-- Astros lost four of their first five games.
-- Diamondbacks lost three of last four games.
-- Giants lost three of their last four games.
-- Indians lost first five games, allowing 47 runs.
-- White Sox lost three of their last four games.
-- Red Sox, Angels both lost three of their last four games.
-- Royals scored total of eight runs in their first five games.
Totals
-- Four of first five Florida games went over the total.
-- Last three Cincinnati games went over the total.
-- Four of five Washington games went over the total.
-- Four of first six St Louis games went over the total.
-- Four of first five Colorado games went over the total.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in San Francisco games this season.
-- Four of first five Arizona games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Dempster starts stayed under the total.
-- Under is 1-4 in Texas games, 4-1 in Detroit games.
-- All five Cleveland games went over the total.
-- Last four Oakland games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Beckett starts.
-- Four of first five White Sox games stayed under the total.
-- Four of first five Tampa Bay games stayed under the total.
-- All five Kansas City games stayed under the total.