Tuesday's Betting Tips
By Covers.com
Weather to watch
Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals: A 40 percent chance of thunderstorms could spoil a fantastic pitching matchup between Cliff Lee and Stephen Strasburg.
Who’s hot?
The Atlanta Braves have won five straight heading into Monday’s contest with the Marlins. Atlanta pitchers have held opponents to three runs or fewer in each of the club’s last five victories.
Who’s not?
The Kansas City Royals have lost five straight games and are 2-8 in their last 10 contests. The Royals begin a six-game home stand Tuesday when they host the Indians.
Key stat
.141 – Josh Hamilton’s batting average in July. The Rangers slugger entered the month at a .319 clip with 25 home runs. His four straight games played without a hit matches the second-longest such streak of his career.
Game of the day
Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Carl Crawford – The Red Sox outfielder said he’ll decide in the next 7-10 days whether or not to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his ailing left elbow.
Betting notes
Pirates right-hander pitcher Kevin Correia asked the team for a trade Sunday. Correia was bumped from the starting rotation last week when the Bucs acquired lefty Wandy Rodriguez from the Astros.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman expects left-hander Andy Pettitte (ankle) to return sometime in September and be available for the playoffs. Pettitte was initially projected to miss six weeks when he suffered the fracture on June 27.
The Reds are 11-2 without star 1B Joey Votto, who is eligible to come off the disabled list Tuesday but has not yet resumed baseball activities.
Third baseman Chris Johnson was the latest to escape Houston as he was dealt to Arizona for two minor leaguers Sunday. He became the sixth player traded by the Astros this month.