Tuesday's Betting Tips
By Covers.com
Weather to watch
Expect sunny skies and pleasant temperatures across the board in the MLB on Tuesday.
Who’s hot?
The Detroit Tigers have won five consecutive games and have moved within 1 1/2 games of the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central lead. The Tigers have been dominant at home, winning 15 of 16 games at Comerica since July 4.
Who’s not?
The Cleveland Indians fell 14-3 to the Twins on Tuesday and have dropped 10 straight contests. The Indians have been outscored 88-31 during the skid. It's the most runs they've allowed in a 10-game span since giving up 89 in August 1938. The Tribe is two losses away from matching the longest losing streak in franchise history, a 12-game skid in 1931.
Key stat
0.19- Reds closer Aroldis Chapman’s ERA against NL teams this season.
Game of the day
San Francisco Giants at St. Louis Cardinals (-185, 8.5)
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Colorado Rockies first baseman and clubhouse leader Todd Helton will undergo arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair a torn labrum in his right hip and miss the remainder of the season. Helton batted a career-low .238 with seven home runs this campaign.
Notable quotable
"I would be the fastest player in the team, but I can play as well…I am in Britain for a few more days, if Alex Ferguson wants to give me a call he knows where I am." –Usain Bolt on his desire to play for Manchester United.
Betting news and notes
With 20 consecutive games starting Friday and right-handed pitcher Tommy Hanson eligible to come off the disabled list next week, Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said he is considering going to a six-man starting rotation for the final two weeks of August.
Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton could return to the lineup Tuesday against the Mets. The All-Star has been out since undergoing right knee surgery on July 8.
Texas Rangers right-hander Roy Oswalt, who was bounced from the starting rotation when Ryan Dempster joined the team, will continue to pitch out of the bullpen despite his reported displeasure.
The Tampa Bay Rays announced Monday that third baseman Evan Longoria will be activated from the 60-day disabled list prior to Tuesday's series opener against the Blue Jays. In 23 games prior to the injury, Longoria was batting .329 with four home runs and 19 RBIs. The club went 15-8 in those games, but is 41-44 since.