SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlanta (4-4 SU and ATS) at Orlando (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS)
The Magic aim for their sixth straight postseason win and 12th straight victory overall when they square off against the Hawks in Game 2 of their best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinal series inside Amway Arena.
Orlando, the defending Eastern Conference champion, crushed the Hawks in Tuesday’s Game 1, winning 114-71 as a nine-point home chalk. After a close first quarter, the Magic outscored the Hawks 60-21 in the middle two periods and shot 52.4 percent from the floor for the game with Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard leading the way with 21 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. They limited the Hawks to 34.6 percent shooting and dominated the glass, outrebounding Atlanta 53-35.
Orlando has won four of five SU and ATS this season against the Hawks, and the Magic have won and covered in seven of the last eight meetings dating to January 2009. Additionally, Orlando has won and cashed in five of six at home against the Hawks, including three straight home blowouts: 104-86 as a 5½-point favorite and 113-81 as a 3½-point chalk and Tuesday’s route.
Atlanta is 20-25 SU (24-21 ATS) on the highway this season (1-3 SU and ATS in the playoffs), averaging 97.8 ppg on 45.8 percent shooting, while allowing 98.2 ppg (46.6 percent shooting). Orlando is 37-7 at home (26-17-1 ATS), including 3-0 (2-1 ATS) in the playoffs. The Magic have won 10 straight (7-2-1 ATS) and 16 of their last 17 (12-4-1 ATS) inside Amway Arena.
The Hawks, who were swept out of the Eastern Conference semifinals a season ago by the Cavaliers (0-3-1 ATS), are 0-6-1 ATS in their last seven as a playoff ‘dog, but they’re also on ATS surges of 7-4 overall, 11-5 against winning teams, 22-9-1 as an underdog of five to 10 ½ points and 7-4 against the Eastern Conference. The straight-up winner is on a huge 24-0-1 ATS surge in Atlanta’s last 25 playoff games.
The Magic are on a plethora of positive ATS runs, including 20-7-1 overall, 6-1-1 at home (all as a chalk), 22-6-1 as a favorite, 9-1 after a straight-up win and 22-6 against Eastern Conference teams.
Atlanta has topped the total in four of six on the road and nine of 12 on the road against teams with a winning home record, but it is on “under” runs of 5-1 after just one day off, 8-2 as a playoff underdog and 20-7 as a ‘dog of five to 10 ½ points. Orlando has topped the total four of seven at home, but it is on “under” streaks of 5-0 in conference semifinal games, 5-1-1 as a playoff favorite, 30-14-2 as a favorite overall and 12-5-1 against Southeast Division rivals.
In this rivalry, the under has been the play in six straight meetings, including all five this season.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
San Francisco (16-10) at Florida (13-14)
The Giants go for a three-game sweep in South Beach when they hand the ball to No. 2 starter Matt Cain (1-1, 2.84) while the Marlins counter with their own hard-throwing right-hander in Ricky Nolasco (2-1, 4.01) in the series finale at Sun Life Stadium.
San Francisco outlasted Florida in 12 innings in Tuesday’s opener, prevailing 9-6 after scoring in the top of the ninth to tie the game. Then on Wednesday, Barry Zito (one run in seven innings) tossed yet another gem and the Giants withstood a late rally and scored a 3-2 victory. San Francisco has followed up a four-game slide (all on the road) by winning eight of 11, and Bruce Bochy’s bunch is on additional surges of 5-1 against the N.L. East and 4-1 against right-handed starters. On the downside, the Giants have still lost four of six on the highway, four of five on Thursday and five in a row in the third game of a series.
Florida has dropped five of its last seven games on its current nine-game homestand that ends tonight, and it is just 3-7 in its last 10 overall, 1-6 in its last seven against the N.L. West and 3-8 in its last 11 against right-handed starters. On the positive end, the Marlins are on upticks of 5-2 as a home favorite, 6-2 in the third game of a series and 5-1 on Thursday.
The Giants have won eight of the last 11 in this rivalry, including four of the last five overall and four of the last five in Florida. Going back further, San Francisco is on a 10-4 roll when playing in Miami.
Cain has allowed three earned runs or fewer in all five of his starts this year, but he didn’t have anything to show for it until Saturday when he dominated the Rockies in a 6-1 home victory. The veteran right-hander scattered a hit and three walks while whiffing eight in eight shutout innings. Cain has now held seven straight opponents to three earned runs or less, but San Francisco is just 3-4 during this stretch. In fact, going back to last year, the Giants have lost seven of Cain’s last 10 starts overall, but they’re in an impressive 14-2 in his last 16 starts against the N.L. East.
Cain has delivered two quality road outings this season, yielding just six runs (five earned) in 12 2/3 innings (3.55 ERA), but he got no-decisions in each contest with the Giants winning 10-4 in Houston and losing 3-2 in San Diego. Also, in five career starts against the Marlins, Cain is 2-0 with a 2.88 ERA, giving up three runs or fewer and pitching at least six innings in all five games, with San Francisco going 4-1.
Nolasco lasted a season-low four innings Friday against the Nationals, getting rocked for five runs on eight hits (seven strikeouts) in a 7-1 home defeat. In two starts prior, he dominated the Phillies (5-1) and Rockies (4-1) on the road, surrendering a total of two runs in 17 innings. In fact, Nolasco has been much better on the road this year (2-0, 1.90 ERA in three starts, all Florida wins) than at home (0-1, 9.00 ERA in two games, both Florida losses).
The Marlins have won 10 of Nolasco’s last 13 starts against the N.L. West and 11 of his last 14 when he’s coming off five days of rest. However, they’ve lost five of his last six home starts, going 0-5 as a home chalk. He’s faced the Giants just twice, going 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA (two earned runs allowed in 16 innings).
San Francisco is riding a slew of “under” runs, including 13-2 overall, 5-1 on the road, 8-1 against right-handed starters, 6-0 as an underdog and 9-4 on Thursday. And with Cain hurling, the “under” is on streaks of 5-2 overall, 9-3 on the road, 5-1 as an underdog and 13-6 against the N.L. East.
Conversely, Florida still sports “over” trends of 29-12 at home, 14-4 versus the N.L. West, 35-15-1 as a favorite, 18-6-2 against right-handed starters, 9-4 with Nolasco on the bump and 9-4 when Nolasco pitches against the N.L. West.
Finally, the under is 7-2-1 in the last 10 Giants-Marlins clashes overall and 4-1-1 in the last six meetings in South Beach.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN FRANCISCO and UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
L.A. Angels (12-17) at Boston (14-14)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-1, 11.57) makes his second start of the season as he tries to pitch the Red Sox to a four-game sweep of the struggling Angels, who will counter with lefty Scott Kazmir (2-1, 5.57) at Fenway Park.
After getting swept by the Orioles in Baltimore over the weekend, Boston has returned home and taken three straight from the Angels by a combined score of 25-10, including Wednesday’s 3-1 victory. The Red Sox have won seven of their last nine home games, and they’re also on surges of 129-63 at home, 5-1 against the A.L. West and 4-0 versus southpaw starters, but they’re also just 2-5 in their last seven when playing the fourth game of a series.
Los Angeles has lost the first six games of a 10-game road trip, getting outscored 43-19, and it has dropped 10 of 14 overall dating to April 21. Additionally, the Angels are in slumps of 0-5 against right-handed starters and 0-5 as an underdog, but they’ve won 19 of their last 27 Thursday contests.
The Angels swept a best-of-5 divisional playoff series against Boston last year and they’re still 12-10 in the last 22 meetings. Also, the home team is 9-2 in the last 11 in this rivalry – with the Red Sox going 6-2 in the last eight at Fenway – following an 8-3 run by the visitor.
Kazmir is coming off his strongest performance of the season – and his first quality start in seven outings dating to last season – as he held the Tigers to two runs (one earned) in six innings Saturday, but the Angels offense didn’t contribute much and L.A. fell 3-2 on the road. Kazmir has gone 10 consecutive starts without lasting more than six innings, and in two road outings this year (Detroit and the Yankees), he’s 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA.
Kazmir’s last start against the Red Sox came in the 2009 American League Championship Series when the lefty was with the Rays. In that contest, he gave up five runs on five hits and three walks in six innings, but Tampa pulled out a 7-6 road victory. Prior to that, Kazmir made 23 regular-season starts against the Red Sox with the Rays, going 8-7 with a 3.59 ERA (6-4, 3.05 ERA in 13 games at Fenway Park).
Matsuzaka spent the first month of the season on the disabled list, returning with mixed results on Saturday in Baltimore. He gave up just one run through the first four innings, then fell apart in a six-run fifth inning. The right-hander finished giving up seven runs (six earned) on seven this and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. Last season, the Japanese star was limited to just 12 starts because of injury, going 4-6 with a 5.76 ERA (2-2, 5.60 ERA in six home contests).
With Dice-K on the hill, Boston is on runs of 36-15 overall, 18-8 at home 10-4 against the A.L. West, 30-12 when favored, 5-2 on Thursday and 3-1 in four career starts (two playoff) against the Angels. In those four contests versus Los Angeles, Matsuzaka yielded a total of 12 runs in 20 2/3 innings (5.23 ERA).
L.A. is on “under” runs of 24-7 on the road, 7-1 as a road underdog, 16-5 on the road against right-handed starters and 5-1 when Kazmir throws on the highway. Meanwhile, the over has hit in 13 of Boston’s last 17 games against lefty starters, but with Matsuzaka pitching, the under is on stretches of 7-3-1 overall and 12-3-1 at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
DUNKEL INDEX
Atlanta at Orlando
The Magic look to follow up their Game 1 win and take advantage of an Atlanta team that is 0-6-1 ATS in its last 7 games as a playoff underdog. Orlando is the pick (-9) according to Dunkel, which has the Magic favored by 16 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-9)
Game 715-716: Atlanta at Orlando (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 117.679; Orlando 134.323
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 16 1/2; 186
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 9; 189 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-9); Under
MLB
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh
The Cubs look to avoid the sweep and build on their 8-2 record in Randy Wells' last 10 starts against the NL Central. Chicago is the pick (-155) according to Dunkel, which has the Cubs favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-155)
Game 951-952: St. Louis at Philadelphia (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lohse) 15.800; Philadelphia (Halladay) 17.349
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-240); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-240); Over
Game 953-954: Atlanta at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 14.764; Washington (Olsen) 15.857
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+120); Under
Game 955-956: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Wells) 14.857; Pittsburgh (Burres) 13.775
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-155); Over
Game 957-958: San Francisco at Florida (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 14.995; Florida (Nolasco) 16.654
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+105); Under
Game 959-960: Arizona at Houston (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Haren) 13.274; Houston (Rodriguez) 14.118
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Arizona (-140); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+120); Over
Game 961-962: Milwaukee at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Bush) 14.027; LA Dodgers (Ely) 14.344
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-125); Under
Game 963-964: LA Angels at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Kazmir) 14.779; Boston (Matsuzaka) 14.188
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Boston (-145); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+125); Under
Game 965-966: Kansas City at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Davies) 15.466; Texas (Harrison) 14.781
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+150); Under
Game 967-968: Baltimore at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Bergesen) 14.404; Minnesota (Pavano) 17.931
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 3 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-250); 10
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-250); Under
Game 969-970: Toronto at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Eveland) 15.847; White Sox (Danks) 15.470
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-200); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+170); Over
Game 971-972: Tampa Bay at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Niemann) 17.177; Seattle (Rowland-Smith) 14.209
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 3; 9
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-140); Over
NHL
Pittsburgh at Montreal
The Canadiens look to bounce back from their Game 3 loss and take advantage of a Pittsburgh team that is 4-9 in its last 13 games following a win. Montreal is the pick (+160) according to Dunkel, which has the Canadiens favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+160)
Game 75-76: Pittsburgh at Montreal (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.847; Montreal 12.145
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+160); Over
Game 77-78: San Jose at Detroit (7:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 12.825; Detroit 13.306
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-130); Under
Marc Lawrence
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
When the Cubs send Randy Wells to the hill in the finale of this three game series in Pittsburgh tonight they will do so knowing Wells is 4-1 in his team starts this season, with three walks against 26 strikeouts in his last four efforts. With Wells 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his career starts in this series, look for more of the same this evening.
Matt Fargo
Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers
Play: Kansas City Royals
After winning with the Royals two night’s ago as big underdogs, we dropped the small play last night against the White Sox but that is no reason to jump off quite yet. The Royals actually outhit Chicago last night 12-9 but they were unable to come through with the clutch hit while the White Sox were able to do so. Kansas City now heads to Texas tonight a very respectable 7-8 on the road this season and even though they are 11-16 overall, they have dropped less than a unit thanks to some solid prices and tonight is no exception. After four straight wins to begin their most recent roadtrip, the Rangers dropped the final two games in Oakland to drop back to .500 on the season. Texas is just a game over .500 at home this season so there has not been a big edge in playing in Arlington so far on the year. The Royals send Kyle Davies to the hill and he is off to a very good start. Through his first five outings he is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with the royals going 4-1 in those games including victories over Tampa Bay, Detroit and Boston. Three of his four games have been quality performances and despite being winless in his career against Texas, he has a 2.65 ERA over his last three starts against the Rangers. Matt Harrison has gotten off to an uneven start for the Rangers as three of his five outings have been quality performances but he allowed six runs in each of the other two games. Texas is just 1-4 in his five starts and in his lone game against the Royals last year, he was pounded for six runs on eight hits and four walks in just five innings. The Royals are 12-3 in Davies’ last 15 starts against teams averaging fewer than 4.7 rpg while the Rangers are 1-7 in Harrison’s last eight starts following up a quality outing in his last game. 3* Kansas City Royals
David Chan
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Houston Astros
PICK: Arizona Diamondbacks
Whether it’s a federal case or family court, Wandy Rodriguez’ agent is preparing to file suit against the Astros for lack of support—run support that is. In Wandy’s five starts, the Astros have put up a total of nine runs.
We’re posting/betting this on the overnights before Wednesday’s action, but in the Monday and Tuesday games Houston has plated one measly run, total. Arizona is getting Haren 5.5 runs/game and put up 10 runs combined in the series’ first two matchups.
I’m not going to try and tell you that these pitchers are worlds’ apart—they’re not. They’re both aces. But the D-Backs are scoring runs, and that’s the way you win baseball games. That’s why we’re on the D-Backs.
Rob Vinciletti
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Play: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have taken it on the chin 2 straight home games vs the Brewers allowing 11 runs on back to back nights. Tonight they send rookie J.Ely to the mound to make his first home start. In his road start last week vs the Mets he struggled, allowing 5 runs early. However he did settle down nicely and wound up going 6 innings. He has dynamic stuff and should be better here tonight against Milwaukee. The Brewers counter with D.Bush. In his last 3 starts Bush has a 5.09 era and has allowed 8 runs in 13 innings in his last 2 starts here in Los Angeles,including 3 home runs. For technical purposes the Dodgers fit a system that has cashed 5 of the last 6 times, and plays on certain home teams off a loss of 5 or more runs that allowed 10 or more runs, if both teams had 10 or more men left on base. Look for the Dodgers to salvage the last game of the series tonight.
Jim Feist
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago White Sox
Play: Toronto Blue Jays
The Rays have gotten all the publicity with their sizzling road record, but the Blue jays have been great on the road, too. The offense has been much improved with Vernon Wells healthy and the Jays have had three starters carry no-hitters into the seventh inning, Shaun Marcum on opening day vs. the Rangers, Ricky Romero on April 13 against the White Sox and Brett Cecil on May 3 in Cleveland. Dana Eveland has been reliable and faces a White Sox team that is 11th in the AL in runs scored. Lefty John Danks is 1-2 with a 5.03 ERA against Toronto. Play the Blue Jays.
EZWINNERS
Philadelphia Phillies -220
St. Louis has not seen much of the Phillies new ace pitcher Roy Halliday in the post. Most of the Cardinals lineup has never faced Halliday in their careers and those that have are a combined 1-13 against the big right hander. This includes the Cardinals Albert Pujols who was 0-4 in Halliday's only previeous starts against St. Louis which was a complete game win in which Halliday allowed only five hits and one earned run. The Cardinals will send Kyle Lohse to the mound for this start and Lohse has struggled this season. In five starts this year, Lohse is 0-1 with a 5.28 ERA. He has benefited from some run support that has got him off the hook after some poor performances or else he would have more than one loss on his record. I don't expect St. Louis to be able to provide him with that run support here as the Cards offense is up against one of the best pitchers in the business today. The Cardinals are only 2-9 in Lohse's last eleven starts against a team with a winning record. Go ahead and pay the high price to back Philadelphia.
Stephen Nover
Atlanta (-135) at WASHINGTON
The Atlanta Braves finally put a halt to their eight-game road losing streak on Wednesday, edging Washington, 7-6.
I see the Braves now getting back on track. I especially like them here with a starting pitching matchup of Tim Hudson versus Scott Olsen. Making the Atlanta side more attractive is that Washington could be without closer Matt Capps, by far their best relief pitcher. He worked two innings on Wednesday.
Hudson's elbow is healthy again and he's pitching well with a 2.87 ERA. He has been dominant against the Nationals in the past going 8-1 with a 1.55 ERA in 13 career starts against them. He has given up one run or fewer in 10 of those starts.
Olsen is on the comeback trail and pitching better after a rough beginning. However, he remains a below average starter lacking in velocity. He needs to mix up his pitches, which the veteran Braves are aware of and will be ready.
The Nationals have been playing above their heads. The Braves have been underachieving. Look for a correction to start occurring beginning with this matchup.
3♦ BRAVES
Bobby Maxwell
Milwaukee (+115) at L.A. DODGERS
Winner with the Rockies on Wednesday makes it five straight FREE winners and improves my comp run to 91-70-3. Tonight I have another baseball winner as I go with the Brewers on the road in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
After that ugly offensive showing in San Diego for four games, the Brewers have suddenly found their offense again, scoring 22 runs the last two nights in victories over these Dodgers. Tonight they will keep it rolling and make it three straight over Los Angeles.
Milwaukee took Tuesday’s game 11-6 and won Wednesday 11-3. Tonight they have David Bush (1-2, 4.60 ERA) on the mound, looking to make it three straight wins over the Dodgers. Bush last faced Los Angeles in 2008 and allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings of a 4-3 victory.
Bush didn’t have much luck on Friday in San Diego when he allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings but lost 3-0 as the offensive didn’t make the trip.
On the hill for the Dodgers is John Ely making his second career start. Last week, he got the nod in New York and gave up five runs on six hits over six innings, throwing 116 pitches in a 7-3 loss to the Mets.
Milwaukee is 4-1 in their last five road starts against right-handers and 12-3 in their last 15 in Game 3 of a series. Count on the Brewers to keep the bats hot today over the young Dodgers’ right-hander. Play the plus money and go with Milwaukee.
2♦ MILWAUKEE
Karl Garrett
Baltimore at MINNESOTA
G-Man in need of a free play winner, and tonight I will get that winner with the Twins -1 1/2 Runs over the lowly Baltimore Orioles.
The O's were just swept 3 games by the New York Yankees, and now must move on to face a Minnesota team that has been tearing it up this spring. The Twins are off to a 19-9 start, and have won 9 of the 12 games played in their new stadium.
Expect the Twinks to get the lumber out in a big way against Bergesen who has allowed 13 runs over his last 11 innings of work. Bergesen's season ERA is well over 10, and this Minnesota attack is likely to add a few more runs to Bergesen's ledger before this start is finished.
Carl Pavano has allowed just 2 runs in each of his last pair of starts, and another 2 run allowence will certainly be in line to get the righty the win.
Not only will it get him the win, it will allow the Minnesota sticks to get cranking against the Baltimore pitching staff, as this one turns ugly early.
Run Line play on Minnesota over Baltimore tonight boys.
4♦ MINNESOTA -1.5
James Patrick Sports
Blue Jays vs. White
Toronto’s Dana Eveland is 2-1 with a 4.77 ERA on the year. He notched a win against Chicago earlier this season giving up just two runs and three hits in six innings of work. Eveland has held White Sox hitters to a .205 average (8-39) in two starts against them. Alex Rios (1-8) and Paul Konerko (0-5) have the worst numbers against the left hander. Chicago hits just .219 against southpaws while averaging four runs per game. They have gone Under in five of those nine games and have hit worse at home in those games as they average just 3.5 runs per game at home. With two strong pitchers on the mound facing lineups that have struggled to produce runs, we expect a pitcher's duel tonight resulting in a low-scoring game. Big Game James Patrick's selection in Major League Baseball is Toronto - Chicago Under the Total.
VEGAS EXPERTS
Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers
We’ll back the Royals today as a medium-sized underdog behind Kyle Davies. Davies has won four of his five team starts this year for Kansas City, including his last game at Tampa Bay as a +250 underdog. The Rangers Harrison has struggled in his last three starts, allowing 14 runs in 16 innings. And the Rangers bats are cooling off, scoring more than four runs just once in their last four games. Kansas City’s payout is worth the risk here.
Play on: Kansas City Royals
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Texas Rangers -147
Off back-to-back defeats, I look for the Rangers to pick up a win against the Royals at home tonight. First off, the Royals are just 4-10 in their last 14 meetings with Texas. Secondly, they send a pitcher to the mound that has never beaten the Rangers. In fact, Kyle Davies is 0-3 (0-5 on the money line) lifetime against Texas with an ERA of 5.55 and a WHIP of 1.932. Matt Harrison hasn't been very good for Texas this season, but he does have something going for him tonight. He's left-handed. The Royals are just 16-35 in their last 51 games vs. a left-handed starter and only 5-17 in their last 22 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Royals are also just 8-23 in their last 31 vs. the American League West. Take Texas.
Tom Freese
Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners
Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay starter Jeff Niemann has allowed 3 or less runs in all 3 of his starts this year. The Ray's are 16-7 they last 23 made by Niemann as a favorite. Tampa Bay is 26-9 their last 35 games overall and they are 13-3 their last 16 road games. Seattle is 2-6 their last their last 8 games vs. righty starters and they are 0-5 their last 5 games. The Mariners are 1-4 their last 5 games as underdogs and they are 4-10 Rowland-Smith starts after allowing 5 or more runs in their last game. PLAY ON TAMPA BAY