Baseball Today
SCOREBOARD
Thursday, April 23
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EDT). Carlos Zambrano is expected to face Cincinnati’s Aaron Harang as the NL Central rivals meet in the finale of the three-game series.
STARS
Wednesday
— Melky Cabrera, Yankees, hit a two-run homer—his second blast of the game — in the 14th inning to give New York a 9-7 victory over Oakland.
— Bengie Molina, Giants, had a pinch-hit double with two outs in the 10th inning to lift San Francisco to a 1-0 victory over San Diego.
— Kevin Millar, Blue Jays, singled home the winning run in the 11th inning over a drawn-in outfield to give Toronto an 8-7 victory over Texas.
— Dan Haren, Diamondbacks, gave up six hits and struck out nine in seven innings of Arizona’s 2-0 victory over Colorado.
— Johnny Cueto, Reds, gave up four hits and struck out three in seven innings and also had two hits to lead Cincinnati to a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.
— Kelly Johnson, Braves, drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to give Atlanta a 1-0 win over Washington.
— Adam LaRoche, Pirates, had four hits, including three doubles, and scored two runs in Pittsburgh’s 7-4 victory over Florida.
— Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria, Rays. Crawford had four hits and scored three runs, and Longoria had three hits and three RBIs in Tampa Bay’s 9-3 win at Seattle.
LET’S GO TO THE VIDEOTAPE, AGAIN
Umpires upheld a home run at Yankee Stadium for the second time in four days, giving Oakland’s Kurt Suzuki a three-run drive in the second inning against New York. Suzuki’s ball to left field Wednesday went about a foot above the left-field fence, well over the outstretched glove of Johnny Damon. It did not appear that any fan interfered, but umpires nonetheless went inside for three minutes to review replays before affirming the initial home-run call. The Yankees won 9-7 on Melky Cabrera’s second homer of the game, a two-run shot in the 14th inning.
ROCKET SIGHTING!
Roger Clemens was back at Minute Maid Park—as a fan. Clemens sat about 10 rows up behind home plate with some of his children to watch the Astros’ 6-5 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday. The embattled seven-time Cy Young winner is being investigated by a federal grand jury to determine whether he lied when he told a congressional committee last year that he never used steroids or human growth hormone.
NO B.Y.O.B.
The Dodgers are cracking down on fans who bring alcohol onto stadium property. The club said Wednesday it will increase signage and security patrols in the parking lots to enforce its policy of not allowing alcohol onto the premises. Violators will be subject to ejection. Extra signs in English and Spanish will be posted outside parking entrances and in lots beginning with the team’s homestand that opens April 30. The crackdown comes after a man was stabbed multiple times after the Dodgers’ home opener on April 13.
THE BOSTON SWEEPS
Tim Wakefield pitched a five-hitter in a rain-shortened 10-1, seven-inning win in the opener, and Brad Penny pitched six solid innings to help Boston sweep a day-night doubleheader against Minnesota with 7-3 win in the second game Wednesday night.
MILESTONES
Jim Thome hit his 545th career homer, an opposite-field solo shot to left that put the White Sox up 4-0 in the third inning of an 8-3 win at Baltimore on Wednesday night. It was Thome’s fourth homer of the season, and it put the 38-year-old slugger within three of Mike Schmidt for 13th place on the career list. … Derek Jeter played in his 2,000th regular season game in the Yankees’ 9-7, 14-innning victory over Oakland. The only other players to play in at least 2,000 regular season games as Yankees were Yogi Berra, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and Bernie Williams.
A-ROD UPDATE
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez ran the bases Wednesday for the first time since undergoing right hip surgery on May 9. A-Rod ran 10 times between first and second base at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., including twice with a trainer pulling on a strap around A-Rod’s waist. The three-time AL MVP also increased his defensive drills, charging slow rollers for the first time and extending his range going after grounders. The Yankees expect him to rejoin the team by May 15.
STATUS
Umpire Kerwin Danley was out of a hospital a day after being hit in the head by a broken bat, and will be examined by Major League Baseball before he returns to the field. Danley was to remain in Toronto until the symptoms of a “powerful headache” subside, crew chief Dana DeMuth said Wednesday. Once Danley can travel, he will go to MLB’s medical center in Arizona for further tests.
SIDELINED
Oakland reliever Joey Devine has had ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow, a procedure that usually requires at least one year of recovery. The operation was performed Tuesday by Dr. James Andrews on Devine’s ulnar collateral ligament. A’s manager Bob Geren said Wednesday that it was replacement surgery but that he had not spoken with the pitcher. Devine has been on the disabled list since the season started. … Texas put right-hander Kris Benson on the 15-day disabled list with elbow tendinitis. The move, retroactive to April 16, followed a morning bullpen session two days after the Rangers pushed back Benson’s next start. Benson is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts, his first in the major leagues since 2006.
SPEAKING
“I understand everybody’s making a big deal out of home runs. Melky’s ball would have been out of anywhere. It’s not like there’s cheap home runs being hit.”—Yankees captain Derek Jeter on Cabrera’s game-winning homer in a 9-7, 14-inning victory over Oakland. Cabrera’s homer was the 26th home run at the stadium, one more than the previous record for the first six games at a new major league venue.
Thursday's Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
Thursday’s are travel days for Major League Baseball. Four of today's nine games are either scheduled for the morning or afternoon so teams can get to the next city. Starting pitchers have already appeared in three games, meaning the stats are just starting to provide key information.
Now let’s take a closer look at four games on Thursday’s schedule, two in the National League and two in the American.
**Mets (Hernandez) at Cardinals (Lohse)**
-Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed St. Louis as a $1.35 home ‘chalk’ over New York, with the total set at 9 ½ ‘over’ (-125). This contest will is slated to start at 1:40 p.m. ET.
-New York’s Livan Hernandez (1-0, 4.63 ERA) escaped with a no-decision in Friday’s contest with Milwaukee, tossing five innings while allowing four runs on seven hits (one home run) with no walks and three strikeouts.
-The Mets eventually won that contest as a $1.25 home favorite, 5-4, while the combined nine runs slithered ‘under’ the 9 ½-run closing total.
-The veteran hurler did not start against the Cardinals last season as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
-St. Louis counters with right-hander Kyle Lohse (2-0, 2.57 ERA), who has gotten out of the gates rather quickly.
-The 30-year-old won his first two starts before picking up a no-decision in Saturday’s effort against Chicago. The 6-foot-2 hurler surrendered four runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts over five innings.
-The Cardinals eventually dropped that contest as a $1.20 road underdog, 7-5, while the combined 12 runs eclipsed the 10-run closing total. The ‘over’ has gone 2-1 his three starts.
-Lohse went 1-1 against the Mets last year in two starts, going a combined 12 innings while being reached for eight runs (seven earned) on 16 hits (three home runs) with three walks and six strikeouts. The Cards prevailed as a home ‘pick,’ 7-1, while losing as a $1.75 road underdog, 9-1.
**Dodgers (Billingsley) at Astros (Rodriguez)**
-LVSC opened Los Angeles as a $1.25 road favorite over Houston, with the total listed at 8 ½. This matchup is scheduled to begin at 8:05 p.m. ET.
-Los Angeles pitcher Chad Billingsley (3-0, 2.84 ERA) continued his winning ways by knocking off Colorado Saturday as a $1.65 home ‘chalk,’ 9-5. The 24-year-old went six innings, yielding three runs on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
-The combined 14 runs toppled the eight-run closing total, marking the second consecutive start that the ‘over’ cashed.
-The righty went 1-1 against the Astros last season in two starts, going a combined 13 innings while allowing seven runs (four earned) on 12 hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. The Dodgers won as a $1.30 road favorite, 5-2, while losing as a $1.75 home ‘chalk,’ 5-0. The ‘under’ cashed in both games.
-Houston left-hander Wandy Rodriguez (1-1, 1.89 ERA) is coming off of his first victory of the season after blanking Cincinnati Saturday as a $1.25 home ‘chalk,’ 7-0. The Dominican Republic native tossed seven scoreless innings on just two hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts.
-The seven runs failed to eclipse the eight-run closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash his third consecutive contest.
-Rodriguez picked up a no-decision against the Dodgers last season after being reached for five runs on six hits (one home run) with four walks and five strikeouts over five innings. The Astros ended up dropping that affair as a $1.35 home ‘chalk,’ 7-6, while the combined 13 runs went ‘over’ the 8 ½-run closing total.
**White Sox (Colon) at Orioles (Eaton)**
-LVSC lists Chicago as a $1.15 road ‘chalk’ over Baltimore, with the total set at 10 ½ ‘over’ (-120). This American League tilt is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. ET.
-Chicago hurler Bartolo Colon (1-0, 3.86 ERA) toes the rubber fresh off of Friday’s no-decision against Tampa Bay. The veteran right-hander went 5 2/3 innings, surrendering five runs on six hits (one home run) with a walk and four strikeouts.
-The White Sox eventually dropped that contest as a $1.75 road underdog, 6-5, while the combined 11 runs went ‘over’ the 8 ½-run closing total.
-Colon went 2-0 against the Orioles last season in two starts, tossing a combined 12 innings while yielding five runs on 12 hits (two home runs) with three walks and 12 strikeouts. The White Sox prevailed as a $1.25 road ‘chalk,’ 9-4, and as a $1.53 home favorite, 6-3.
-Baltimore’s Adam Eaton (0-2, 11.25 ERA) was roughed up by Boston Saturday as a decided $2.50 road underdog, 6-4. The 6-foot-2 hurler was reached for six runs on nine hits (one home run) with two walks and four strikeouts over four innings.
-The combined 10 runs slithered ‘over’ the 9 ½-run closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash in both of his starts. Ironically, both of his starts this season have lasted four innings.
-Eaton, a member of the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, has not started against the White Sox the previous few years.
**Tigers (Jackson) at Angels (Palmer)**
-LVSC opened Detroit as a $1.25 road favorite over Los Angeles, with the total set at nine. This game is slated to start at 10:05 p.m. ET.
-Detroit pitcher Edwin Jackson (1-0, 2.14 ERA) picked up a pair of no decisions before upending Seattle Saturday as a $1.38 road underdog, 2-0. The seven-year veteran tossed 7 2/3 innings of scoreless ball on five hits with a walk and six strikeouts.
-The two runs never seriously threatened the eight-run closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 2-1 his three outings.
-Jackson beat the Angels last season as a $1.38 road underdog, 13-4, going seven innings while yielding four runs on 10 hits (one home run) with a walk and two strikeouts. The combined 17 runs soared ‘over’ the 8 ½-run closing total.
-Los Angeles hurler Matt Palmer is making his first start of the young season. The right-hander is also searching for his first major league victory after sporting an 0-2 record and 8.53 ERA last season with San Francisco.
-The 30-year-old had three starts that encompassed 12 2/3 innings with the Giants, yielding 13 runs on 17 hits (one home run) with 13 walks and three strikeouts.
-Palmer has never faced the Tigers in his brief major league career.
vegasinsider.com
Baseball Today
SCOREBOARD
Thursday, April 23
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EDT). Carlos Zambrano is expected to face Cincinnati’s Aaron Harang as the NL Central rivals meet in the finale of the three-game series.
STARS
Wednesday
— Melky Cabrera, Yankees, hit a two-run homer—his second blast of the game — in the 14th inning to give New York a 9-7 victory over Oakland.
— Bengie Molina, Giants, had a pinch-hit double with two outs in the 10th inning to lift San Francisco to a 1-0 victory over San Diego.
— Kevin Millar, Blue Jays, singled home the winning run in the 11th inning over a drawn-in outfield to give Toronto an 8-7 victory over Texas.
— Dan Haren, Diamondbacks, gave up six hits and struck out nine in seven innings of Arizona’s 2-0 victory over Colorado.
— Johnny Cueto, Reds, gave up four hits and struck out three in seven innings and also had two hits to lead Cincinnati to a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.
— Kelly Johnson, Braves, drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to give Atlanta a 1-0 win over Washington.
— Adam LaRoche, Pirates, had four hits, including three doubles, and scored two runs in Pittsburgh’s 7-4 victory over Florida.
— Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria, Rays. Crawford had four hits and scored three runs, and Longoria had three hits and three RBIs in Tampa Bay’s 9-3 win at Seattle.
LET’S GO TO THE VIDEOTAPE, AGAIN
Umpires upheld a home run at Yankee Stadium for the second time in four days, giving Oakland’s Kurt Suzuki a three-run drive in the second inning against New York. Suzuki’s ball to left field Wednesday went about a foot above the left-field fence, well over the outstretched glove of Johnny Damon. It did not appear that any fan interfered, but umpires nonetheless went inside for three minutes to review replays before affirming the initial home-run call. The Yankees won 9-7 on Melky Cabrera’s second homer of the game, a two-run shot in the 14th inning.
ROCKET SIGHTING!
Roger Clemens was back at Minute Maid Park—as a fan. Clemens sat about 10 rows up behind home plate with some of his children to watch the Astros’ 6-5 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday. The embattled seven-time Cy Young winner is being investigated by a federal grand jury to determine whether he lied when he told a congressional committee last year that he never used steroids or human growth hormone.
NO B.Y.O.B.
The Dodgers are cracking down on fans who bring alcohol onto stadium property. The club said Wednesday it will increase signage and security patrols in the parking lots to enforce its policy of not allowing alcohol onto the premises. Violators will be subject to ejection. Extra signs in English and Spanish will be posted outside parking entrances and in lots beginning with the team’s homestand that opens April 30. The crackdown comes after a man was stabbed multiple times after the Dodgers’ home opener on April 13.
THE BOSTON SWEEPS
Tim Wakefield pitched a five-hitter in a rain-shortened 10-1, seven-inning win in the opener, and Brad Penny pitched six solid innings to help Boston sweep a day-night doubleheader against Minnesota with 7-3 win in the second game Wednesday night.
MILESTONES
Jim Thome hit his 545th career homer, an opposite-field solo shot to left that put the White Sox up 4-0 in the third inning of an 8-3 win at Baltimore on Wednesday night. It was Thome’s fourth homer of the season, and it put the 38-year-old slugger within three of Mike Schmidt for 13th place on the career list. … Derek Jeter played in his 2,000th regular season game in the Yankees’ 9-7, 14-innning victory over Oakland. The only other players to play in at least 2,000 regular season games as Yankees were Yogi Berra, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and Bernie Williams.
A-ROD UPDATE
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez ran the bases Wednesday for the first time since undergoing right hip surgery on May 9. A-Rod ran 10 times between first and second base at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., including twice with a trainer pulling on a strap around A-Rod’s waist. The three-time AL MVP also increased his defensive drills, charging slow rollers for the first time and extending his range going after grounders. The Yankees expect him to rejoin the team by May 15.
STATUS
Umpire Kerwin Danley was out of a hospital a day after being hit in the head by a broken bat, and will be examined by Major League Baseball before he returns to the field. Danley was to remain in Toronto until the symptoms of a “powerful headache” subside, crew chief Dana DeMuth said Wednesday. Once Danley can travel, he will go to MLB’s medical center in Arizona for further tests.
SIDELINED
Oakland reliever Joey Devine has had ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow, a procedure that usually requires at least one year of recovery. The operation was performed Tuesday by Dr. James Andrews on Devine’s ulnar collateral ligament. A’s manager Bob Geren said Wednesday that it was replacement surgery but that he had not spoken with the pitcher. Devine has been on the disabled list since the season started. … Texas put right-hander Kris Benson on the 15-day disabled list with elbow tendinitis. The move, retroactive to April 16, followed a morning bullpen session two days after the Rangers pushed back Benson’s next start. Benson is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts, his first in the major leagues since 2006.
SPEAKING
“I understand everybody’s making a big deal out of home runs. Melky’s ball would have been out of anywhere. It’s not like there’s cheap home runs being hit.”—Yankees captain Derek Jeter on Cabrera’s game-winning homer in a 9-7, 14-inning victory over Oakland. Cabrera’s homer was the 26th home run at the stadium, one more than the previous record for the first six games at a new major league venue.
MILWAUKEE (4 - 9) at PHILADELPHIA (6 - 6)
DAVE BUSH (R) vs. COLE HAMELS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 12-23 (-15.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 3 seasons.
BUSH is 19-47 (-26.5 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BUSH is 16-32 (-18.0 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BUSH is 17-43 (-24.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
DAVE BUSH vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
BUSH is 1-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 5.31 and a WHIP of 1.436.
His team's record is 5-2 (+3.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-1. (+5.1 units)
COLE HAMELS vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
HAMELS is 3-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.59 and a WHIP of 0.961.
His team's record is 3-3 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+0.9 units)
NY METS (6 - 7) at ST LOUIS (9 - 5)
LIVAN HERNANDEZ (R) vs. KYLE LOHSE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 32-41 (-24.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 36-18 (+14.1 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 95-81 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 63-50 (+13.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 95-81 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 17-8 (+14.9 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 3 seasons.
HERNANDEZ is 20-13 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HERNANDEZ is 12-6 (+8.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against NY METS this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
LIVAN HERNANDEZ vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 5-5 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.25 and a WHIP of 1.424.
His team's record is 7-10 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-8. (-1.9 units)
KYLE LOHSE vs. NY METS since 1997
LOHSE is 1-2 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 5.57 and a WHIP of 1.608.
His team's record is 4-2 (+2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.2 units)
CINCINNATI (7 - 6) at CHICAGO CUBS (8 - 4)
AARON HARANG (R) vs. CARLOS ZAMBRANO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HARANG is 2-11 (-9.9 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 454-526 (+46.0 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 333-386 (+33.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
HARANG is 50-43 (+19.0 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 965-1013 (-183.2 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 117-98 (-40.7 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 517-472 (-109.7 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 379-348 (-75.4 Units) against the money line in home games in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 908-929 (-161.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
ZAMBRANO is 58-53 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
ZAMBRANO is 30-31 (-19.7 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
ZAMBRANO is 58-53 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
ZAMBRANO is 4-12 (-15.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)
AARON HARANG vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
HARANG is 8-6 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.81 and a WHIP of 1.329.
His team's record is 11-8 (+6.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-8. (+1.8 units)
CARLOS ZAMBRANO vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
ZAMBRANO is 14-9 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.281.
His team's record is 16-11 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 13-14. (-1.8 units)
LA DODGERS (10 - 4) at HOUSTON (5 - 9)
CHAD BILLINGSLEY (R) vs. WANDY RODRIGUEZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 7-17 (-12.3 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 91-84 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 89-83 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 67-59 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 46-42 (+14.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 1-0 (+1.6 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
CHAD BILLINGSLEY vs. HOUSTON since 1997
BILLINGSLEY is 2-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.33 and a WHIP of 1.222.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.3 units)
WANDY RODRIGUEZ vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
RODRIGUEZ is 2-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.80 and a WHIP of 1.310.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)
KANSAS CITY (7 - 6) at CLEVELAND (5 - 9)
GIL MECHE (R) vs. ANTHONY REYES (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 52-94 (-30.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
MECHE is 38-55 (-26.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 18-4 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Thursday over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 32-30 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 36-35 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 23-35 (-16.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 22-34 (-16.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
REYES is 8-19 (-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
CLEVELAND is 2-2 (+0.0 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)
GIL MECHE vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
MECHE is 4-8 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.20 and a WHIP of 1.485.
His team's record is 6-12 (-4.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-10. (-2.8 units)
ANTHONY REYES vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
REYES is 2-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 1.32 and a WHIP of 1.170.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)
TAMPA BAY (5 - 9) at SEATTLE (9 - 5)
JAMES SHIELDS (R) vs. FELIX HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 110-82 (+22.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 81-49 (+28.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 63-97 (-32.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 45-74 (-28.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 70-106 (-32.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)
JAMES SHIELDS vs. SEATTLE since 1997
SHIELDS is 1-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 2.12 and a WHIP of 0.910.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-4. (-4.1 units)
FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 1-1 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.54 and a WHIP of 0.974.
His team's record is 4-1 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.8 units)
CHI WHITE SOX (7 - 6) at BALTIMORE (7 - 7)
BARTOLO COLON (R) vs. ADAM EATON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 61-62 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 15-6 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in home games in April games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 90-63 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 471-512 (-106.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 61-115 (-37.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 471-512 (-106.4 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
BARTOLO COLON vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
COLON is 10-6 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.31 and a WHIP of 1.368.
His team's record is 11-8 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-11. (-5.9 units)
ADAM EATON vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
EATON is 1-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)
TEXAS (6 - 7) at TORONTO (10 - 5)
KEVIN MILLWOOD (R) vs. SCOTT RICHMOND (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 248-173 (+44.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
TEXAS is 30-27 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 62-59 (+12.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 1-0 (+1.9 Units) against TORONTO this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
KEVIN MILLWOOD vs. TORONTO since 1997
MILLWOOD is 1-3 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 6.45 and a WHIP of 1.672.
His team's record is 3-4 (-3.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-3. (+0.6 units)
SCOTT RICHMOND vs. TEXAS since 1997
No recent starts.
DETROIT (7 - 6) at LA ANGELS (5 - 8)
EDWIN JACKSON (R) vs. DARREN OLIVER (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against DETROIT this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)
EDWIN JACKSON vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
JACKSON is 1-2 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 6.05 and a WHIP of 1.965.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-0. (+4.0 units)
DARREN OLIVER vs. DETROIT since 1997
OLIVER is 1-3 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 7.11 and a WHIP of 1.777.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.9 units)
KANSAS CITY vs. CLEVELAND
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Kansas City's last 9 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cleveland's last 9 games when playing Kansas City
MILWAUKEE vs. PHILADELPHIA
Milwaukee is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games on the road
Milwaukee is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
NY METS vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Mets's last 8 games when playing St. Louis
NY Mets are 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
St. Louis is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets
CINCINNATI vs. CHI CUBS
Cincinnati is 4-8 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games
TAMPA BAY vs. SEATTLE
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Tampa Bay is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Seattle is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
CHI WHITE SOX vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Chi White Sox's last 20 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Chi White Sox are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Baltimore's last 9 games at home
Baltimore is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
TEXAS vs. TORONTO
Texas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Texas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing at home against Texas
LA DODGERS vs. HOUSTON
LA Dodgers are 5-10 SU in their last 15 games when playing on the road against Houston
LA Dodgers are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games
Houston is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 10 games
DETROIT vs. LA ANGELS
Detroit is 2-7 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
LA Angels are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Angels's last 9 games when playing Detroit
Hot Pitchers
-- Mets won both LHernandez starts, scoring 13 runs. Lohse is 2-0, 3.00 in three starts this season.
-- Cubs are 3-0 when Zambrano starts, scoring 18 runs. Harang has 2.70 RA in three starts this season.
-- Billingsley is 3-0, 2.84 in three starts this season. Rodriguez has a 1.89 RA in three starts this season.
-- Meche is 1-0, 2.25 in three starts this season.
-- Seattle is 3-0 in Hernandez starts, scoring 20 runs. Shields is 2-0, 3.14 in his last two starts.
-- Colon is 1-0, 3.86 in two starts this season.
-- Millwood has a 1.17 RA in three starts this season. Toronto won both Richmond starts, scoring 25 runs.
-- Jackson is 1-0, 2.57 in three starts this season.
Cold Pitchers
-- Bush is 0-1, 4.38 in two starts this season. Hamels is 0-1, 11.17 in his two starts this season.
-- Reyes has 5.73 RA in two starts this season.
-- Eaton is 0-2, 11.25 in two starts this season.
-- Palmer is 1-1, 11.74 in two starts at AAA this year; he was 0-2, 8.53 in three starts for the Giants LY.
Hot Teams
-- Dodgers won eight of their last ten games, lost last two. Astros won five of their last eight games.
-- Cubs won six of their last nine games. Cincinnati won seven of its last ten games.
-- Cardinals won seven of their last eight home games.
-- Royals won five of their last seven road games.
-- Toronto won five of its last seven games.
-- White Sox won seven of their last ten games.
-- Tigers won seven of their last ten games.
-- Mariners won eight of their last twelve games.
Cold Teams
-- Brewers lost seven of their last ten games. Phillies are 3-5 at home.
-- Mets lost five of their last six road games.
-- Indians lost ten of their first fifteen games.
-- Rangers lost eight of their last eleven games.
-- Orioles lost five of their last six games.
-- Angels lost six of their last eight games.
-- Rays lost six of their last eight games.
Totals
-- Over is 8-2-1 in Philadelphia's last eleven games.
-- Four of Mets' last five games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of Cincinnati's last eight games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten Houston games stayed under the total; nine of last eleven Dodger games went over.
-- Eleven of fifteen Cleveland games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Tampa Bay games went over the total.
-- Nine of last ten Baltimore games went over the total.
-- Over is 11-2-1 in Texas games this season.
Thursday’s streaking and slumping MLB pitchers
By COVERS.com
Streaking
Gil Meche, Kansas City Royals
The Royals’ surprise start to the 2009 campaign is directly related to the outstanding performances of their top three pitchers.
Meche didn’t give up a single run in one of the worst pitcher parks and against one of the best hitting clubs last week. The former Mariner struck out six batters in Kansas City’s easy 12-3 win over the Rangers.
The outing lowered Meche’s ERA to 2.25 and his WHIP (walks + hits per inning) to 1.15. K.C. is 2-1 this season in games the righty takes the hill and 5-1 dating back to last season.
Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers haven’t needed too much help from their pitchers so far this season because of the club’s excellent run production. Their hurlers are still doing a good job - particularly staff ace Chad Billingsley.
The 24-year-old righty is 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts this year. He struck 11 batters in his second outing and opponents are hitting a modest .234 off the former 16-game winner.
Slumping
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
Last year’s dream season that ended with a World Series championship and MVP trophy has been followed by a nightmarish start to 2009 for Hamels.
The southpaw missed time during spring training and wasn’t able to pitch Philly’s season opener because of a sore elbow. He’s started two games this season and hasn’t looked like himself in either appearance.
Hamels has given up four homers in 9 2-3 innings and the Phillies are 0-2 in his starts this season. Batters are hitting .447 off Hamels resulting in a lofty 11.17 ERA for the staff ace.
Adam Eaton, Baltimore Orioles
Eaton wouldn’t be heading out to the bump on Thursday if the O’s had any depth to their starting rotation. But because finding a decent arm in Baltimore is like finding a lawn chair in the North Pole, Eaton’s job is safe… for the moment.
The former Padre prospect hasn’t pitched past the fourth inning in either of his two starts. Like Hamels, Eaton has a double-digit ERA (11.25) attached to his 2009 stat sheet, along with a 0-2 record and .477 OBP (opponent batting percentage).
Dating back to last season, the over is 7-0 in Eaton’s last seven appearances (two relief, five starting).
Tips and Trends
Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners
Rays: The Rays are 6-9 for the second straight season. “We just need to settle in a little more. It’s early, but we don’t want to say, ‘Oh, there’s a lot of time left,’” said third baseman Evan Longoria. “We need to start winning some games in a row, to get back over .500.” James Shields (2-1, 4.58) has pitched through the seventh inning to win each of his last two starts. Shields is 1-1 with a 2.12 ERA in four career starts versus Seattle - all quality outings. With Wednesday’s victory, Tampa Bay improved to 6-2 in its last eight games at Safeco Field.
The Under is 12-2 in Shields' last 14 starts as an underdog.
The Rays are 6-21 in Shields' last 27 starts as a road underdog.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side Play of the Day)
Mariners (-115, O/U 7.5): Felix Hernandez has yielded four runs over 14 innings in his two wins this season. He has given up just one run in four of five career starts against the Rays. After outscoring opponents 30-14 during a six-game win streak, the Mariners (9-6) have been outscored 29-16 in dropping four of their last six. Seattle has produced just 38 hits while giving up 61 in that stretch. Seattle also committed two errors for the third time in four games. “Our team revolves around pitching and defense, and tonight, we weren’t very good at either,” manager Don Wakamatsu said last night.
The Over is 8-1 in the Mariners' last 9 games as a favorite.
The Under is 10-1 in Hernandez's last 11 starts vs. AL East foes.
Key Injuries - 1B Russell Branyan (back) is QUESTIONABLE.
1B Mike Sweeney (back) is QUESTIONABLE.
C Kenji Johjima (hamstring) is on the 15-day DL.
PROJECTED SCORE: 3
American League Research
By Indiancowboy
Tampa Bay vs. Seattle
TB is getting back into the swing of things winning 9-3 yesterday. After having a great outing against Baltimore, Shields was roughed up by the Whitesox for 5 runs in a little over 7 innings, he still helped his team win 6-5 nevertheless. Sheilds is 2-1 with a 4.58era. He had a similar rough outing against Boston but bounced-back nicely for 7 innings of no shutout ball, I can see him having a good outing today. Of course, Seattle got blasted yesterday so they will look to bounce-back with King Felix. Felix had a workman like 6 inning, 3 run performance in his last start as he is 2-0 with a 4.26era. He is giving up his fair share of hits though, over 1 per inning. Shields is 1-1 with a 2.12 era against Seattle lifetime, Hernandez is not shabby either against the Rays as he is 1-1 with a 2.54 era against the Rays.
Texas vs. Toronto
Big Kev has an opportunity to pick up a win here if he stays on cue with his quality starts. Millwood is 1-1 with a 1.17era on the year, he was terrific against the Royals giving up 2 runs on 5 hits in a complete game but still picked up the 0-2 loss, he has given up 3 runs in 23 innings this year. The Rangers come off a 1 run loss yesterday and this win could put them back at .500 for the year, which is great for peeps like who have a future on them for over 73.5, as their goal is to just stay around a 48% winning percentage and they cash on that future. However, do note that Millwood is 1-3 with a 6.45 against the Jays who just know how to win this year given their timely hitting and strong pitching. This is why the Jays are 11-5 on the year. Richmond is 1-0 with a 3.48era, he picked up his first win on the year in his last start, giving up just 1 earned run in over 6 innings at the Metrodome in Minny. This might be a pitcher's duel in Toronto today.
Detroit vs. L.A. Angels
Detroit won 12-10 yesterday in a high scoring game as these teams dance again today. Jackson is 1-0 with a 2.14 era for the Tigers as he has been everything they want for him this season thus far. Of course, Verlander has not which has thrown a wrench into the equation. Jackson comes off a great outing in his last start against the Ms who were hot giving up 0 runs in nearly 8 innings. Palmer is interesting. The Angels have acquried him believe he will flourish in his talent in the AL. He made his first start with the Giants against the Braves and got roughed up. He had a good start against Florida and was roughed up against the Rockies. Even though Palmer has struggled Soscia is high on this kid, but he didn't have a great minor stint either. If you think the Angels would be competitive, take a good look at the Over today as the Tigers likely hit this kid 2nd time through the lineup (inns 4-6) and the Angels likely get to Jackson who has some trouble putting together back to back dominant starts.