Gabriel DuPont
Complimentary play for tonight, as I look to improve on my 60-49 run with free picks: Colorado at BOSTON (-1', +105)
The STORYLINE in this game today - But seriously, how good are the Boston Red Sox offensively right now? We're talking absolutely dominating, especially at Fenway Park. And tonight my free play is on them at home against the Colorado Rockies, as the Crimson Hose go after their 13th win in 15 home games.
The X-FACTOR in making this choice on this game - The offense is my key, of course it is. Boston has averaged 8.7 runs and is batting .352 with 20 home runs during a 12-2 stretch at Fenway. Big Papi is on quite a farewell tour, as he's remained hot through this tear. He had two hits and four RBIs in yesterday's 8-3 series-opening victory. Ortiz is hitting .365 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs over a 21-game stretch.
BOTTOM LINE is - Though pitchers are automatically listed when making Run Line wagers, I am insisting you DO NOT worry about who the scheduled starters are. In the event of a scratch, you MUST re-wager the game with the new pitcher(s) who are scheduled. This play will stand no matter who pitches for either team, as the Red Sox are going to shine at home and continue to win big.
4* BOSTON
Dave Price
Cincinnati Reds +155
I'm taking a stab with the Cincinnati Reds tonight as big road underdogs to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have been rather pedestrian in games not started by Clayton Kershaw this season. Scott Kazmir has certainly been one of their worst starters, going 3-3 with a 5.22 ERA and 1.335 WHIP in 9 starts. On the other hand, Daniel Straily has been the best starter for the Reds this season. He has gone 2-1 with a 2.77 ERA in 7 starts, including 1-1 with a 1.64 WHIP in 2 road starts. Straily is also 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his last 3 starts coming in. That's enough to warrant a play on the Reds today at this kind of price.
Power Sports
Baltimore vs. Houston
Pick: Houston
The Astros have been a big disappointment so far while the Orioles have been a pleasant surprise. But the home team won here yday (in 13 innings) and judging by how this line is moving, they look to be the "sharp" play again tonight. It must be pointed out that Baltimore has played a MLB-low 18 road games to this point.
Houston is only 3-14 off a win this season, so we do have that working against us here. But I feel that particular trend will soon see itself regress back to the mean as you have to remember this was a playoff team last year, so things theoretically should get better moving forward. Speaking of regression, Colin McHugh's BABIP is .368 and that number is basically a lock to come down. McHugh was a hard luck loser his last time out, getting outdueled by Chris Sale, but I'll bank on a better fate Wednesday as he's opposed by Tyler Wilson.
McHugh only allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings against the White Sox, but it wasn't enough as Sale was even better. Wilson, meanwhile, allowed five runs in his last start and only one time has he gone past the six inning mark. I'm honestly pretty shocked at how well Baltimore has performed this year, but as I said earlier they've played a home-heavy schedule. Just 9-9 outside of Camden Yards, I'll look for them to fall again tonight.
Harry Bondi
HOUSTON -140 over Baltimore
Houston was one of baseballs best teams last season. With a roster chock full of young stars, they were expected to challenge the Cubs for the National League pennant, but have been lousy! We are no longer using them on the Steam Team but as a free winner Collin McHugh and the Astros look like the right side over Baltimore. McHugh has won 3 of his last 4 starts. Baltimore sends Tyler Wilson to the hill and he took the loss in a 7-2 rout to Seattle last time out.
THE PREZ
Marlins at Rays
Play: Over 8.5
The two Florida franchises switch venues on Wednesday night going taking the diamond for game-one of the two-game set on Tropicana Field in Saint Petersburg. The Marlins send left-hander Justin Nicolino (2-2, 4.30 ERA) to the mound to square off against Rays righty Matt Andriese (3-0, 2.11).
Giancarlo Stanton will not be in the starting lineup tonight. The Marlins coaching staff has decided to give their slugger some rest and the timing is justified as the power-hitting first baseman is in a pronounced hitting slump.
Marlins
Miami southpaw, Justin Nicolino, has been everything but consistent the first month-plus of the 2016 season. Nicolino allowed a pair of homers in the second inning of Friday's loss at the hands of National League East first place Washington. The Marlins lefty has allowed just one homer in his first 25 innings this season. Tonight's starter for Miami has struggled with his command. He didn't walk a batter in his last start but offered up five free passes in his previous start and a total of 11 in his first four trips to the hill this season.
Nicolino has permitted four runs in three of his last four contests after scattering two hits over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 triumph versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 27. Nicolino has recorded a mere four strikeouts in his last four starts, covering 22 innings of work. He walked nine in those four outings and his ERA has climbed from 2.79 to 4.30 over that four start time span.
Rays
Andriese won his third straight game in only his third start since being called up off the farm. The Rays righty has benefited from run support and has been anything but impressive since his call-up. Andriese allowed four runs on five hits in just over five innings but earned a 7-5 victory over Detroit.
The Tampa Bay bullpen has followed struggling starters with a bullpen that is not in good form. The Rays' bullpen has yielded at least one run in 10 of its last 11 outings.
Greg Shaker
Blue Jays / Yankees Under 9
Nova has made the transition from the Bullpen where he started this season to starter in fine form, Estrada has been solid. In fact his games pitched this season are 7-1 UNDER. Both Pens better than average, Yanks much better. The weather is slightly favoring the hitters but not enough to matter here. Our number is much lower and an easy choice for us.