Michael Alexander
Astros vs. Red Sox
Play:Red Sox -142
The high-octane Boston Red Sox haven't been shy about giving the scoreboard operator a workout en route to winning a season-high five in a row and 14 of their last 18 contests. The Red Sox have recorded a staggering 51 runs on 62 hits in their last four outings heading into the second of a four-game series versus the visiting Houston Astros today. Jackie Bradley Jr. is riding a majors high-tying 18-game hitting streak this season, highlighted by a 12-for-21 stretch (.571) with three homers and 14 RBIs during the team's winning streak. Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to seven games with a two-run homer and added an RBI single in Thursday's 11-1 rout in the series opener. Houston's struggles away from home have been pronounced this season, as its lopsided loss in the opener of its seven-game trek dropped the club to a disastrous 4-12 on the road.
Kyle Hunter
White Sox vs. Yankees
Play: White Sox -138
The Chicago White Sox are 8-0 in Chris Sale's last 8 starts. Everyone knows Chris Sale is good, but I still believe he is a bit underappreciated by some. This guy is putting up dominant statistics, and is one of the best pitchers in the game. Luis Severino might still turn into a good big league pitcher, but he isn't there yet. He had some batted ball luck last year and hasn't been as fortunate this season. The White Sox are one of the few teams who can almost match the Yankees bullpen strength.
New York is without Jacoby Ellsbury for this one and Alex Rodriguez is still out as well. The Yankees lineup has struggled against lefties this year. They are 4-10 on the season against left-handed pitching. This isn't any average lefty they are seeing today.
ASA
Phillies -115
No team in the National League has played fewer home games than the Phillies and no team has played fewer road games than the Reds. Undoubtedly the Phillies are happy to be back in Philly and to take advantage of home field where the Phils have gone 8-5 so far this season. The Reds have the worst road record in the National League with only 2 wins in their 12 games away from home this season. Philadelphia doesn't bowl you over with statistical support but they are simply finding a way to win early this season. The Phillies have certainly been one of the biggest surprises to most pundits early this season. As for the Reds, the only reason their season record is not worse is because it's been a home-heavy schedule early on. Their road struggles are nothing new as Cincinnati also was an ugly 30-51 away from home last season. The Reds have lost each of Brandon Finnegan's last 4 starts and the southpaw has given up 16 runs (14 earned) in 21 and 1/3 innings on the mound. The Phillies have won 4 of Jeremy Hellickson's last 6 starts and, on the season, the right-hander has turned things around after struggling in a pair of home starts early on. Look for Hellickson to dominate the Reds just like he did in his first start against them in early April of this year. The Reds drop to 2-11 in road games on the season and the Phillies are the play as a small home favorite offering excellent line value here.
Teddy Covers
Angels vs. Mariners
Play: Mariners -142
Right now the Mariners, as a team, are arguably the single most undervalued commodity in MLB. Everyone remembers what a huge disappointment this team was last year, when their bullpen imploded and their lineup couldn’t hit their way out of a wet paper bag. And while many bettors viewed the Mariners as an ‘upside’ team following a strong offseason from new GM Jerry Dipoto, their 2-6 start left the marketplace unimpressed in any way, shape or form.
Sine that 2-6 start, the Mariners have the best record in the American League. They just swept Tampa, now 10-3 in their last 13 games; 16-5 in their last 21 and 8-2 in their last ten at home. Today’s starter Nathan Karns, has mirrored the team in that regard. His first few starts were rough; his last three have been nothing short of spectacular, allowing only three runs in 19.1 innings of work while striking out 20 batters. Behind him, this re-made bullpen ranks #2 in MLB in ERA, a bet-on unit that is fully rested and ready following a day off on Thursday.
The LA Angels are in a world of hurt right now, sitting in last place after losing six straight and ten of their last twelve. Other than Mike Trout, LA’s lineup doesn’t have a single hitter that scares opposing hurlers. Andrelton Simmons just went on the DL with a bad thumb that needs surgery; hurting their defense as much as their lineup. And last night’s home loss to the Cardinals was particularly demoralizing because that lineup pounded out 10 runs in a rare outburst, but Jared Weaver couldn’t hold the lead and the bullpen got rocked behind him.
Nick Tropeano is no innings eater, unable to last through the sixth inning in any of his starts this year. Behind Tropeano, the Angels bullpen is completely spent already – only once in their last twelve games has LA’s starter lasted through the sixth inning. Chalk worth laying
Jack Jones
Chicago White Sox -144
The Chicago White Sox are worth the price of admission tonight with ace Chris Sale on the mound. They also had a day off Thursday while the Yankees played the Royals, so they come in the fresher team in Game 1 of this series.
Sale is the clear front-runner for the AL Cy Young, going 7-0 with a 1.79 ERA and 0.775 WHIP over seven starts this season. The left-hander has owned the Yankees as well, going 3-1 with a 1.52 ERA and 0.847 WHIP in six career starts against them.
I'll gladly fade Luis Severino of the Yankees today. Severino is 0-5 with a 6.12 ERA and 1.484 WHIP in six starts this season, including 0-3 with a 7.47 ERA in his last three starts. Things won't get any easier for him here against a Chicago team that has scored a combined 44 runs over their past six games.
The White Sox are 8-0 in Sale's last eight starts. The Yankees are 0-7 in Severino's last seven starts. Sale is 16-2 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in May games in his career. Chicago is 17-4 (+12.4 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -110 or higher this season.
Chase Diamond
Astros vs. Red Sox
Play: Under 9
This game has the 14-22 Astros and the 22-13 Red Sox facing off. Tonight will be the first game back for 22 year old pitching prospect Lance McCullers this guy is the real deal and I think he will handle the Boston bats tonight. Houston gave up 11 runs last night and only scored 1 run so obviously a focus will be on the pitching tonight and I think both teams will struggle to score today. The under is 5-1 is Wright's last 6 starts this guy is a knuckle ball master.
Gabriel DuPont
Complimentary play for tonight, as I look to improve on my 56-41 run with free picks: Oakland at TAMPA BAY (-120)
The STORYLINE in this game today - A cross-country series taking place in humid Tampa Bay, as the Rays host the Oakland Athletics this weekend. The Rays return from the west coast, where they just lost in Seattle on Wednesday, and are looking to erase a three-game losing streak. They couldn't have asked for a better opponent to do so against.
The X-FACTOR in making this choice on this game - The A's losing ways are the big key here. They've not only lost five straight games, but they've dropped nine of 10 overall and are mired in a 9-25 skid against teams out of the American League East. And remember, Oakland is the team that was just roasted by 1,000 or so runs in Boston. This can't be good.
BOTTOM LINE is - Allow me to touch on the humidity aspect, as a west coast team like Oakland - albeit it can be humid on the Bay - can really struggle in the Southwest and Southeast. Places like Tampa Bay, Atlanta, over to Houston and Arlington are no place for west coast teams. The humidity is too heavy on their systems, pitchers can't grip the ball, they tire easily. This trip just gets longer and longer for the A's. Take Tampa Bay.
2* RAYS
Brad Wilton
Friday night comp play is the Astros and Red Sox Over the total.
To say that Boston is seeing the baseball well right now would be a major understatement!
The Red Sox hit brigade continued last night against the Astros in the series opener, as Boston came up with 11 more runs scored for their 4th straight Over at Fenway Park.
In their last 4 games, Boston has scored 51 runs!
The Sox are also 6-2 Over the total in their last 8 games overall, and tonight they face Lance McCullers.
McCullers started the season on the disabled list with a bum shoulder, but is now ready to make his first start of the year, and unfortunately McCullers is facing the hottest hitting team in the bigs tonight.
Steven Wright goes for Boston, and he has had his knuckleball dancing to a tune of 3-3 with a low 1.52 ERA.
Hopefully the Astros can score 2 or 3 runs off of Wright, and then the Red Sox bats can do the rest of the work as Boston posts their 5th straight Over on this home stand.
3* HOUSTON-BOSTON OVER
Scott Delaney
My free winner for tonight is in American League Central action, as I like the Cleveland Indians over the Minnesota Twins, and I'm playing this game on the Run Line. I think Cleveland is in a good spot right now, I think the town is abuzz because of the Cavaliers and it's a Friday night. Far too many good things taking place in the Land, to not play this on the Run Line.
I don't care who is going, with everything I told you about the hype. Plus, you have a struggling Twins team that has lost seven straight, nine of 10 and is a dismal 2-15 on the road this season.
In two categories I hold close to my money, Minnesota is batting a weak .222 on the road this year and has just 55 runs while ordering room service. Both are fourth-worst in the bigs. And that won't cut it in this park, against this team.
Cleveland is in second place in the American League Central, and it would love to be able to keep pace with first-place Chicago White Sox, who is in the Bronx for the weekend. And you never know what is going to take place at Yankee Stadium. If the Sox lose a couple, and the Tribe sweeps, next week's four-game series in Chicago could be interesting.
Take Cleveland on the Run Line.
3* INDIANS -1.5
Jeff Benton
Your Friday freebie is the Mets over the Rockies.
New York dropped 2 of 3 in their just completed series at Chavez Ravine, including getting blanked by Clayton Kershaw last night.
Expect the Mets to rebound tonight in Colorado against a team they have absolutely owned.
New York has won 11 in a row over Colorado coming into this series, and Mets hurler Matt Harvey is 2-0 in his 3 career starts against the Rockies with a scant 0.39 ERA, as the righty has worked 23 innings, with just 11 hits allowed. He has also allowed just 2 walks while striking out 19 along the way.
Colorado comes into this game having just snapped a 7 game home losing streak with the win over Arizona on Wednesday. For the year, the Rockies are just 5-10 at Coors Field.
Starter Jon Gray is in search for his first win of the year, as he comes into this assignment with an 0-1 mark and an over 5 ERA.
New York is 4-4 through their first 8 games of this 11 game road swing. Look for them to up their mark to 5-4 as they notch their 12th straight victory over Colorado.
2* N.Y. METS
Chris Jordan
I rode the revamped Pittsburgh Penguins in their previous series. But I think they're in big trouble in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the speedy Lightning, who are dying to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Lightning earned a sweep of their three-game season series with Pittsburgh, and I think will be a bit more rested and ready for Game 1 of this series. I've said this so many times to you players, but the first game of a best-of-7 series is the most important.
The road team needs this win, to steal momentum early. And I think the Lightning have the confidence and talent to swipe this first game, as the Penguins are in after wrapping up a 12-day marathon against rival Washington on Tuesday night, in overtime of Game 6.
So peep this, since the start of that Game 6, the Penguins led 3-0, lost their lead, won in overtime, celebrated, regrouped and now have to prepare for a rested Tampa Bay team that realistically can skate circles around any weary team, especially won that been more dominant in the postseason.
Tampa Bay raced through the first two rounds of the playoffs, dropping one game each to Detroit and the New York Islanders. The Lightning played 26 playoff games last spring, and they learned their lesson, as the heavy workload took a toll in the Stanley Cup final, where the Lightning lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.
This is great spot to take a great price.
1* LIGHTNING
Greg Shaker
Tampa Bay -115
The Rays have under-performed all year and their starting pitcher has pitched in lot's of bad luck. But this is a good situational play with a Good Number to work with as the Rays get the day off and return home. Oakland is in the midst of a rough stretch and remain on the road. Despite the day off their Pen, which has not been good, is still over-worked. Solid value on the Rays here
Anthony Michael
Pittsburgh Penguins -165
Pittsburgh has a lot of advantages here. They got to stay on a more regular schedule since they will have 2 days off while Tampa will have 4 days off - Pittsburgh will be fresher. The Penguins are getting great goaltending while Tampa's goaltending has been a bit shaky but they have been able to score enough to get through. Finally the Penguins have been the hottest team in the league entering the playoffs and that has continued for them knocking off the top seeded Capitals. Take the Pens to get this win in game 1.
Dr. Bob
Opinion – Toronto (+4) over MIAMI
I had rated Miami as the slightly better team heading into this series but the injury to Miami C Hassan Whiteside is more damaging to the Heat than the loss of C Jonas Valanciunas is to the Raptors. I now rate Toronto as the slightly better team and the Raptors played pretty well in their two games at Miami in this series – winning game 3 by 4 points and forcing overtime in a game 4 loss. The line on this game is a bit high, as I would favor Miami by only 3 points, but the Heat apply to a 91-33-2 ATS playoff bounce-back situation. However, an 11-37-1 ATS game 6 situation also applies to Miami in this game. The record is 1-3 ATS for the home team when both angles apply to the same game, so there is no technical advantage for the Heat coming off the game 5 loss. I’ll lean with Toronto at +4 points or more. I have no opinion on the total.