John Ryan
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies
Prediction: Colorado Rockies
The simulator shows a meaningful probability that Colorado will get this unexpected win. Although the Dodgers are running away from the rest of the competition in the NL West and challenging for the best record in the NL, they do stumble once in a while. Colorado is out of the race, BUT they have played their best ball against the better teams. They are 14-5 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against an elite team posting a win percentage between 54% to 62% this season. They are also a money making 22-10 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in home games after one or more consecutive overs this season. Kershaw has been incredibly great this season, but even he has periods of below average performances and/or gets victimized by the lack of offense in his starts. Kershaw is 3-7 (-9.9 Units) against the money line after giving up <=1 earned runs in his last 2 outings this season. (Team's Record) Don't forget too, that Colorado is a tough place for opposing pitchers. Rockies are batting 0.285 with a 0.339 OBP in 69 home games this season. Kershaw took the loss against the lowly Cubs in his last start. Chad Bettis will have his hands full facing the Dodgers lineup, but we are getting paid handsomely with the highly inflated line near 2:1to assume that risk. Take the Rockies.
Joe Gavazzi
Baltimore Orioles vs. Cleveland Indians
Play: Cleveland Indians
Neither of them is acting like they deserve it or want it. Baltimore enters on a 7-11 slide and is trailing Boston by 8 ½ games for the division lead and Tampa Bay by 3 games for the Wild Card. Cleveland enters on a 9-15 slide. Following a 1-5 road trip, they trail Detroit by 7 ½ games and are 3 ½ behind Tampa Bay. However, Cleveland’s victory yesterday sets up a situation which finds them to be 30-14 home/win on a field where they are 40-26. Since being acquired by Baltimore from Houston, Norris has failed to go more than 6 innings allowing 18 R in 33 IP of his most recent 7 starts. Despite pitching a bit better on the road of late, his road miseries of recent years continue with a 4.88 ERA on the road this year. Far prefer the slants of Masterson. Cleveland has won 11/15 of Masterson home starts where he has 3.06 ERA. In good current form, Masterson has a 2.13 ERA his last two starts, and a solid history v. Baltimore with a record of 4-0 and 2.30 ERA.
Rocketman
Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics
Play: Texas Rangers
Texas is a very nice 44-16 against division opponents this year where they are scoring 5.7 runs per game. Texas is allowing only 3.3 runs per game their past seven games overall. Oakland is scoring only 3.9 runs per game against left handed starters this season. Derek Holland is 9-6 with a 3.00 ERA overall this year, 7-1 with a 2.85 ERA on the road this season and has a 2.37 ERA his last 3 starts. Daniel Straily is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA his last 3 starts. Holland is 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA in his ten starts vs Oakland in his career. We'll recommend a small play on Texas today!
Doug Upstone
Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros
Play: Minnesota Twins
Huge pitching advantage for the Twins today in Houston. Play Minnesota minus 112 and a small play on the runline at plus 135 is wise as well. Paul Clemens, in my opinion, shouldn't be in the majors - opposing batters have hit .310 against him in 15 home appearances. Twins, win!
Steve Janus
Chicago Cubs -129
The Cubs are showing solid value as a small home favorite against the Marlins. Miami is coming off a hard fought series against division rival Atlanta and I just don't see them being motivated on the road against Chicago in this spot. The Cubs on the other hand have won two straight, wich should have them focused in this one.
Chicago will send out the underrated Travis Wood, who has pitched much better than his 8-10 record might suggest. Wood has a 3.09 ERA and 1.105 WHIP in 27 starts and is coming off a brilliant outing at Los Angeles, where he out pitched Clayton Kershaw. Wood didn't allow a single earned run in 7 innings of a 3-2 victory.
Miami counters with the struggling Henderson Alvarez, who is 0-2 with a 6.58 ERA and 1.463 WHIP over his last three starts. The Marlins are also a poor 7-22 against the NL Central this season, 8-22 in their last 30 games vs a left-handed starter and 0-4 in Alvarez's last 4 starts as a road underdog.
Jeffrey Brandes
Cincinnati Reds -111
Wainwright didn't have it Wednesday. He gave up a career-high nine earned runs over two innings, the shortest start of his career. He faced the entire Reds lineup in the first, needing 35 pitches to secure three outs.
Latos pitched six solid frames against the Cards on Tuesday, allowing four runs on nine hits and no walks for the loss. He gave up two runs in the first, then retired 13 of 14 before allowing a run apiece in the sixth and seventh
Jack Jones
Kansas City Royals +100
The Kansas City Royals (70-66) still have a shot to get the final Wild Card spot in the American League. They trail the Tampa Bay Rays by just 5.5 games entering play Monday. They'll be up against the lowly Seattle Mariners (62-74) at home in their new series today.
Danny Duffy has been sensational since getting called up in early August. The left-hander has gone 2-0 with a 1.10 ERA and 1.040 WHIP in three starts, allowing just two earned runs and 17 base runners over 16 1/3 innings while striking out 17.
Felix Hernandez appears to already have packed it in. Seattle's ace has gone 0-3 with a 9.64 ERA and 1.857 WHIP in his last three starts, allowing 15 earned runs and 26 base runners over 14 innings of work.
The Mariners are hitting just .226 and scoring 3.7 runs/game against left-handed starters in 2013. Seattle is 1-11 (-10.6 Units) against the money line in road games after allowing 2 runs or less 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons.
The Royals are 7-0 in Duffy's last 7 starts vs. a team with a losing record. The Mariners are 1-6 in Hernandez's last 7 starts overall. Seattle is 5-16 in Hernandez's last 21 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Mariners are 1-6 in their last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter. Bet the Royals Monday.
Dave Price
Cleveland Indians -128
The Indians have the edge at home with Masterson on the mound. The right-hander has been dialed in all season and has been especially good at home where he has a 3.06 ERA. The Indians are 10-3 in his last 13 home starts and 4-1 in his last 5 starts versus the Orioles. Baltimore has lost 7 of 9 on the road and 33 of 47 in Cleveland. Norris has struggled on the road where he has a 4.88 ERA. Take the Tribe.
Jeff Alexander
Chicago Cubs -129
The Cubs get the call as my free play with All-Star Travis Wood on the rubber. He has an excellent 3.09 ERA on the season and enters full of confidence after outdueling Kershaw in a win over the Dodgers in his last start. A Miami lineup that is batting .224 and scoring 2.7 runs per game against southpaw starters will have its work cut out for itself against Wood. The Marlins don't figure to get any help from Alvarez. The Fish are 0-5 in his last 5 starts, during which he's posted a 5.74 ERA. The Marlins have dropped 5 of their last 6 versus the Cubbies.
Umpire UNDER streakers 72-24-8 (75%)
Play under team totals below
Cooper 13-3-1 L17 (BOS/DET)
West 10-2-2 L14 (HOU/MIN)
Danley 14-3-1 L18 (KC/SEA)
Harry Bondi
FLORIDA STATE (-12) over Pittsburgh
Both teams playing tonight lost a lot on both sides of the ball. Florida State lost 7 defensive starters and QB EJ Manuel. Pittsburgh lost QB Tino Sunseri and running backs Ray Graham and Rushel Shell. The difference is as that while Pitt will struggle to find replacements, Florida State just reloads. Despite the losses the Seminoles defense is still loaded with future NFL draft picks and QB Jameis Winston is a dynamic athlete. The Seminoles have visions of an ACC Championship and consider themselves National Championship contenders so we look for a great effort as they visit Pittsburgh tonight. Take the Noles to roll.