Cnotes Major League Baseball Best Bets for July - Picks, News, Trends !

[CNOTES]

Friday's Diamond Notes
July 8, 2016


Hottest team: Blue Jays (8-2 last 10)


Toronto has gotten off to so-so starts the last two seasons, as the Blue Jays picked things up midway through 2015 en route to an appearance in the American League Championship Series. The Jays are turning things on at the right time heading into the All-Star break as they grabbed their sixth consecutive victory in Thursday’s 5-4 comeback triumph over the Tigers. Toronto plated 26 runs in its final two wins over Cleveland, followed by a sweep of Kansas City, then knocking off Detroit last night. Left-hander J.A. Happ takes the mound for Toronto tonight as the Jays own a spectacular 7-1 record when he pitches at Rogers Center.

Coldest team: Diamondbacks (2-9 last 11)


Arizona has certainly been one of the biggest disappointments through the first half of the season at 38-49, including a dreadful 15-32 record at home. The D-backs finished their recent homestand at 2-7, including dropping two of three to the Giants to start July. Arizona heads to San Francisco for a weekend series tonight as the D-backs have been better on the road with a 23-17 mark, including pulling off a four-game sweep of the Giants at AT&T Park in April. The good news for Arizona is the 11-6 record it owns on the road within the NL West this season.


Hottest pitcher: Chris Sale, White Sox (14-2, 2.92 ERA)


After a bit of a rough stretch towards the end of May, Sale has rebounded nicely by winning five consecutive starts. The Chicago southpaw has struck out at least seven batters in each of his past five trips to the mound, while beating the Astros, Blue Jays, and Red Sox in his last three outings. The Sox own a 5-1 record in Sale’s six starts as a favorite of at least -160 this season, as Chicago is a hefty -300 favorite this evening against the Braves.

Coldest pitcher: Jake Arrieta, Cubs (12-3, 2.33 ERA)


What? How can you possibly place last season’s NL Cy Young winner in this category with these numbers? Arrieta has hit a rough spot of late, failing to last beyond the fifth inning in two of his past three starts, while allowing a total of nine earned runs in his previous two trips to the mound. The Cubs have struggled recently by losing seven of their past eight games, including three straight to the Reds and Braves. However, Chicago owns an 8-1 record against Pittsburgh this season, as the Cubs head to PNC Park tonight and Arrieta is responsible for three of those victories.


Biggest UNDER run: Braves (10-1 last 11 on road)


Atlanta pulled off a stunner as +230 underdogs at Chicago to edge the Cubs in extra innings last night, 4-3 in a make-up game at Wrigley Field. The Braves allowed three runs in the eighth inning before tying the game in the top of the ninth to force extras, but the contest still finished ‘under’ the total of 9 ½. Atlanta continues to be an ‘under’ machine on the highway, allowing three runs or less in seven of the past 10 games away from Turner Field. The Braves will have it tough against Chris Sale in Chicago tonight, but Atlanta has won its last three times as a road underdog of +200 or higher (+260 tonight).


Biggest OVER run: Rockies (7-1 last eight at home)


Colorado’s offense busted out in Thursday’s 11-2 rout of Philadelphia, scoring five runs in the seventh inning to eclipse the ‘over’ of 12 ½ at Coors Field. In seven of the past eight games played in Denver, the Rockies and their opponent have combined for at least 13 runs, even though Colorado owns a 4-4 record in this span. In six of the previous seven contests at Coors, Colorado’s offense has struck for at least nine runs, as the Rockies will be tested by Phillies’ right-hander Vince Velasquez tonight, who has allowed two earned runs in his last two starts.


Matchup to watch: Nationals vs. Mets


New York and Washington went back and forth on Thursday night in the opener of their series at Citi Field as the Mets held on for a 9-7 victory. The Mets avenged a sweep by the Nationals in D.C. last week to pull within three games of first place in the NL East. It’s a battle of young heavyweight right-handers on the mound in tonight’s contest in Flushing, as Stephen Strasburg puts his 11-0 record on the line for Washington opposite Noah Syndergaard, who is shooting for his 10th victory. Syndergaard’s worst start of the season came against the Nationals on June 27, allowing five earned runs in three innings of an 11-4 loss. However, the Mets’ right-hander tossed seven shutout innings against Washington at Citi Field on May 17 to outduel Max Scherzer in a 2-0 triumph. Strasburg is 3-1 in his last four starts against New York, including a perfect 2-0 mark this season.


Betcha didn’t know: The Mariners have dropped 10 consecutive games away from Safeco Field following Thursday’s meltdown loss at Kansas City. Seattle led the defending champions, 3-0 in the eighth before the Royals scored two runs in that inning, followed by a walk-off hit from catcher Salvador Perez in the ninth inning. The M’s last won on the highway at Boston on June 17 behind Hisashi Iwakuma, who heads to the mound tonight for Seattle.

Biggest public favorite: White Sox (-300) vs. Braves

Biggest public underdog: Mariners (+105) vs. Royals

Biggest line move: Astros (-145 to -155) vs. Athletics

 

[CNOTES]

LEADING OFF: Strasburg vs Syndergaard, Cubs host Bucs
July 8, 2016


A look at what's happening all around the majors today:


ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN


Stephen Strasburg (11-0, 2.71) leads the Nationals against Noah Syndergaard (9-3, 2.41) and the Mets in a battle of All-Stars and NL Cy Young Award contenders. Strasburg left after 6 2/3 hitless innings against Cincinnati because of his pitch count last time out, a precaution in Strasburg's first start since an upper back strain put him on the DL. Syndergaard dominated the Cubs in his last outing, allowing a run over seven innings in a 14-3 victory. It's the first time Syndergaard will face Strasburg.

ACE DOWN


The Mets are awaiting a big decision on Matt Harvey - will he require season-ending surgery to address symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome? The diagnosis has jeopardized the careers of other major league pitchers, and Harvey has complained about having common symptoms this week, including numbness in the fingers and shoulder discomfort. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson expects a decision on surgery to be made in the next few days before the All-Star break.


CARPENTER TO DL


The Cardinals continue their pursuit of the Cubs when they start a three-game series in Milwaukee, but they'll do it without star Matt Carpenter. The infielder went on the disabled list Thursday with a strained right oblique, and St. Louis is not setting a timetable for his return. Carpenter is hitting .298 with 14 home runs and is ranked 12th in the majors with 3.4 wins above replacement entering Thursday, per Fangraphs. Kolten Wong is expected to be Carpenter's primary replacement at second base.

CONTROLLING THE CENTRAL


The Cubs get one more chance to pad their lead in the NL Central before the All-Star break when they begin a three-game series against the Pirates. Ace Jake Arrieta (12-3, 2.33) looks to rebound in the opener after allowing nine runs over his last 10 1/3 innings spanning two starts. Chicago entered its game Thursday night with an eight-game lead over St. Louis in the Central standings, with Pittsburgh 8 1/2 games back in third.


HAMELS GETS TWINS AGAIN


Cole Hamels (9-2, 2.93) tries for a bounce-back performance when the Rangers host the Twins. Minnesota tagged the left-hander for five runs in four innings last Sunday, ending a four-start winning streak for Hamels. Kyle Gibson (2-5, 4.82) pitches for the Twins.

 

[CNOTES]

No regular Joe: The real method behind his Maddon-ness
July 8, 2016


CHICAGO (AP) This is the genius of Joe Maddon:


Next week, all four of his infielders will start for the National League at the All-Star Game, a trick no team has turned since Cincinnati's 1976 Big Red Machine. Yet when those Cubs return to Wrigley Field next Friday to face the Pirates, two of them - Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist - could wind up starting in the outfield. They might not be the only ones playing a different position.


If you want to know what separates Chicago from the handful of other title contenders at midseason, versatility is a good place to start. And that starts with Maddon.


''I've always been about that,'' he said recently.


Maddon has never been shy about testing his players' skillsets, either, because he's always challenging himself. He could write a book about turning the tables on decades of received baseball wisdom and what's he's learned along the way. But on this day he limits himself to a list of benefits a manager gets having guys who can play multiple positions: reacting to in-game changes is easier; you can carry an extra pitcher if you need to; more flexibility in scheduling rest days; and it keeps everyone on their toes.


But he saves the best argument for the end of his pitch. It's the same one Maddon employs to stick a toe outside his own comfort zone, and how he's talked a few dozen grown men into donning pajamas for charter flights home from West Coast road trips.


''And the last point,'' he summed up, ''is they love it.''


Most of the time, anyway.


A week earlier, in a 15-inning marathon at Cincinnati, Maddon used three pitchers in the field in the same game for the first time in a century or more. Reliever Pedro Strop, the third pitcher to enter, was in the Cubs' bullpen that inning when the phone rang, but he knew better than to assume anything.


''You never know with Joe,'' he said. ''The guy's not afraid do anything. ... So I was almost kind of ready for that, because I was the only extra player we got.


''But the other one? Man,'' he continued. ''I was like, `Whoa.'''


That was a year ago, just ahead of the midsummer break with the Dodgers in town. The Cubs were already struggling with a manpower shortage in that same infield.


Third baseman Kris Bryant was wilting in the heat of his first big-league season and Maddon was trying to give him a day off. That plan fell through when shortstop Starlin Castro - since traded to the Yankees - headed off to the hospital for the birth of his second baby. It also forced Maddon to move Addison Russell from second to short and pencil in his only other healthy infielder, reserve Johnny Herrera, at second.


That's when Strop noticed the manager eyeing him.


''Joe comes over and says to me, `So, what position can you play better?''' he recalled.


Strop has been a pitcher since he broke into the majors in 2009, but he'd played more than 200 games at shortstop in the Rockies' minor league system before a weak bat convinced him to try throwing off a mound. The prospect of a cameo back at shortstop both tantalized and terrified him - exactly the response Maddon was looking for.


''But then Starlin drove back from the hospital,'' Strop recalled, chuckling at the memory.


No matter. Point made.


Maddon came by the philosophy while working on his managerial chops as an assistant in the Angels organization and then as the boss in Tampa Bay. In both organizations, he saw talented ballplayers capable of contributing stuck in place because the guy in front of them had the position locked down. Maddon's first convert to make a splash was Zobrist in Tampa Bay, who eventually mastered four positions, joined him in Chicago this season and will play second base in the All-Star Game.


Bryant, who will start at third, has played three different positions in the same regular-season game. Russell, who didn't become a full-time shortstop until after the midseason break in 2015, will start there in the All-Star Game. And Maddon has already convinced rookie Willson Contreras, who was drafted as a catcher, to try left field and first base during his first month in the majors.


A few lockers down, Albert Almora Jr., another highly touted rookie, wondered whether he'd get the talk. He's played center field since being called up June 7 from the Triple-A Iowa club, and hasn't received any further instructions from Maddon.


''I watch him when I'm not playing and it seems like he's three, four moves ahead of the game,'' Almora said. ''So he's not afraid to try things, even with the rookies. Just about the first thing he said is he doesn't care if you mess up. ...


''Like if you're in a situation where you think you should bunt, and he says hit and it doesn't work out, he'll come up to you right away and say, `That's on me,''' he added. ''He doesn't just say have fun, he shows you how. That means a lot to a young player.''


Another few lockers over, 39-year-old David Ross, a backup catcher playing his final season, offers the last word on his smooth-talking, sometimes-zany manager.


''Too many guys want to equate smarts with being uptight,'' Ross said. ''Joe doesn't. He just says, `Do simple better.'''

 

[CNOTES]

Desmond, Murphy, Cueto paying dividends for new teams
July 8, 2016


Ian Desmond didn't settle on a new team until late February, his puzzling free-agent saga finally ending when he signed a one-year deal with Texas.


Now Desmond looks like a bargain for the Rangers - and a big reason they're comfortably ahead in the AL West.


Desmond's $8 million deal with the Rangers seemed almost humbling after he'd rejected a qualifying offer from Washington worth nearly twice that amount. He also had to switch positions, moving from shortstop to the outfield. But Desmond has been outstanding after a slow start, and he's now batting .319 with 15 home runs, 54 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.


''It's off-the-charts incredible. Just the leadership, athleticism,'' manager Jeff Banister said. ''I don't want to put any one single player ahead of any others. But you take him out of our lineup and off our team, it has a different look to it.''


Desmond wasn't the biggest name to change teams last offseason, and he certainly wasn't the most expensive signing, but moves like this can shift the course of a division race if they pan out. Desmond has turned a tough situation into a success story, and Texas has been rewarded for its confidence in him.


''You look at the slugging numbers, the OPS and what he's done out of the 2-hole for us in runs scored - has been as good as anybody in our lineup,'' Banister said. ''To make the transition to the outfield, has been more than serviceable. He has been really good in center field.''


Here are a few other offseason acquisitions who have made significant contributions for their new teams:


ZACK GREINKE, DIAMONDBACKS


The Diamondbacks signed Greinke to a six-year, $206.5 million contract, and the right-hander got off to an awful start, finishing April with a 5.50 ERA. He eventually settled in and started to look like the pitcher he was last year.


He won seven straight starts from May 17 to June 18, and he's now 10-3 with a 3.62 ERA.


''He's great,'' Arizona slugger Paul Goldschmidt said. ''He's been pitching for 10-plus years so he knows what he's doing. He had a few rough starts but then he was really, really good for eight, nine, 10. It was a lot of fun to play behind him after being on the other side the last few years.''


Greinke is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique. The team has set no timetable for his return but hopes it is shortly after the All-Star break. Arizona is well under .500 despite Greinke's efforts.


DANIEL MURPHY, NATIONALS


After his big postseason helped the New York Mets win the National League pennant, Murphy signed a $37.5 million, three-year contract with division-rival Washington. The Nationals now lead the Mets by three games atop the NL East, in part because Murphy is hitting an NL-best .346. The 31-year-old second baseman also has 15 homers and 59 RBIs.

JOHNNY CUETO, GIANTS


Cueto had his ups and downs during a brief stint with Kansas City that ended in celebration when the Royals won the World Series. The Giants have little to complain about after signing the right-hander to a $130 million, six-year deal. He's 13-1 with a 2.47 ERA after pitching his fourth complete game of the season Wednesday night. That victory gave San Francisco the best record in baseball.

MARK TRUMBO, ORIOLES


After going deep twice Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Trumbo led the majors with 26 home runs. He came to Baltimore in a December trade with Seattle, and he's complemented his typical power with a higher-than-usual batting average for the AL East-leading Orioles.

FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ, TIGERS


It was easy to be skeptical when Detroit traded for K-Rod, considering the Tigers' track record with closers lately. But Rodriguez has 23 saves in 25 chances in 2016 and has generally finished off games without much drama.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB MONEYLINE


MLB > (923) MINNESOTA@ (924) TEXAS | 2016-07-08 20:05:00 - 2016-07-08 20:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line in All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 52 Wins and 31 Losses for the this season (+27.8 units)


MLB > (919) TAMPA BAY@ (920) BOSTON | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Play AGAINST TAMPA BAY using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 11 Wins and 29 Losses for the this season (-21.7 units)

MLB > (923) MINNESOTA@ (924) TEXAS | 2016-07-08 20:05:00 - 2016-07-08 20:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line in all games
The record is 53 Wins and 33 Losses for the this season (+27.45 units)

MLB > (923) MINNESOTA@ (924) TEXAS | 2016-07-08 20:05:00 - 2016-07-08 20:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line in All games when the total is 9 to 9.5
The record is 29 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (+19.45 units)

MLB > (927) SEATTLE@ (928) KANSAS CITY | 2016-07-08 20:15:00 - 2016-07-08 20:15:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using money line in All games at home with a money line of -100 to -125
The record is 50 Wins and 18 Losses for the last three seasons (+29.35 units)

MLB > (915) LA ANGELS@ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE using money line in Home games against right-handed starters
The record is 25 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (+15 units)

MLB > (911) SAN DIEGO@ (912) LA DODGERS | 2016-07-08 22:10:00 - 2016-07-08 22:10:00
Play ON SAN DIEGO using money line in All games when playing on Friday
The record is 10 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+10.8 units)

MLB > (925) OAKLAND@ (926) HOUSTON | 2016-07-08 20:10:00 - 2016-07-08 20:10:00
Play AGAINST OAKLAND using money line in Road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 10 Wins and 34 Losses for the last three seasons (-22.15 units)

MLB > (915) LA ANGELS@ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE using money line in Home games in night games
The record is 101 Wins and 48 Losses for the last three seasons (+44.55 units)

MLB > (901) CHICAGO CUBS@ (902) PITTSBURGH | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Play ON PITTSBURGH using money line in All games in July games
The record is 6 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+8.7 units)


MLB > (921) NY YANKEES@ (922) CLEVELAND | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Play ON CLEVELAND using money line in All games when the total is 8 to 8.5
The record is 29 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (+16 units)


---------------------

MLB RUNLINE


MLB > (919) TAMPA BAY@ (920) BOSTON | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Play AGAINST TAMPA BAY in Road games after 3 or more consecutive losses
The record is 1 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-14 units)

MLB > (911) SAN DIEGO@ (912) LA DODGERS | 2016-07-08 22:10:00 - 2016-07-08 22:10:00
Play ON SAN DIEGO in Road games vs. left-handed starters
The record is 11 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+11.55 units)

MLB > (915) LA ANGELS@ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE in Home games in night games
The record is 21 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (+18.05 units)

MLB > (911) SAN DIEGO@ (912) LA DODGERS | 2016-07-08 22:10:00 - 2016-07-08 22:10:00
Play ON SAN DIEGO in Road games in night games
The record is 21 Wins and 4 Losses for the this season (+16.3 units)

MLB > (927) SEATTLE@ (928) KANSAS CITY | 2016-07-08 20:15:00 - 2016-07-08 20:15:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY in Home games when playing with a day off
The record is 21 Wins and 7 Losses for the last three seasons (+21 units)

MLB > (915) LA ANGELS@ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE in Home games in games played on a grass field
The record is 28 Wins and 16 Losses for the this season (+19.3 units)


MLB > (919) TAMPA BAY@ (920) BOSTON | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Play AGAINST TAMPA BAY in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 12 Wins and 28 Losses for the this season (-22.25 units)


MLB > (917) DETROIT@ (918) TORONTO | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Play ON TORONTO in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 29 Wins and 14 Losses for the last three seasons (+19.75 units)


MLB > (917) DETROIT@ (918) TORONTO | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Play ON TORONTO in All games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 31 Wins and 15 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.25 units)


----------------------

MLB TOTALS


MLB > (911) SAN DIEGO@ (912) LA DODGERS | 2016-07-08 22:10:00 - 2016-07-08 22:10:00
Play UNDER LA DODGERS on the totalin Home games against division opponents
The record is 1 Overs and 15 Unders for the this season (+13.8 units)

MLB > (923) MINNESOTA@ (924) TEXAS | 2016-07-08 20:05:00 - 2016-07-08 20:05:00
Play OVER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games in night games
The record is 33 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+20.9 units)

MLB > (921) NY YANKEES@ (922) CLEVELAND | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Play OVER CLEVELAND on the totalin Home games against right-handed starters
The record is 53 Overs and 24 Unders for the last two seasons (+27.75 units)

MLB > (911) SAN DIEGO@ (912) LA DODGERS | 2016-07-08 22:10:00 - 2016-07-08 22:10:00
Play UNDER LA DODGERS on the totalin Home games in games played on a grass field
The record is 13 Overs and 32 Unders for the this season (+16.7 units)

MLB > (923) MINNESOTA@ (924) TEXAS | 2016-07-08 20:05:00 - 2016-07-08 20:05:00
Play OVER MINNESOTA on the total in all games
The record is 51 Overs and 29 Unders for the this season (+20.4 units)


MLB > (923) MINNESOTA@ (924) TEXAS | 2016-07-08 20:05:00 - 2016-07-08 20:05:00
Play OVER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 51 Overs and 29 Unders for the this season (+20.4 units)


MLB > (909) ST LOUIS@ (910) MILWAUKEE | 2016-07-08 20:10:00 - 2016-07-08 20:10:00
Play OVER MILWAUKEE on the totalin All games as a home underdog of +100 to +125
The record is 27 Overs and 10 Unders for the last two seasons (+16.35 units)


MLB > (903) CINCINNATI@ (904) MIAMI | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Play OVER CINCINNATI on the totalin All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 49 Overs and 30 Unders for the this season (+18 units)


MLB > (903) CINCINNATI@ (904) MIAMI | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Play OVER CINCINNATI on the total in all games
The record is 49 Overs and 30 Unders for the this season (+18 units)


MLB > (917) DETROIT@ (918) TORONTO | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Play OVER DETROIT on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 30 Overs and 15 Unders for the this season (+14.15 units)

 

[CNOTES]

TOP POWER LINES


MLB > (901) CHICAGO CUBS @ (902) PITTSBURGH | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Line: CHICAGO CUBS BTB PowerLine: CHICAGO CUBS234
Edge On: CHICAGO CUBS (74)


MLB > (917) DETROIT @ (918) TORONTO | 2016-07-08 19:05:00 - 2016-07-08 19:05:00
Line: DETROIT BTB PowerLine: DETROIT-171
Edge On: DETROIT (9)


MLB > (903) CINCINNATI @ (904) MIAMI | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Line: CINCINNATI BTB PowerLine: CINCINNATI-243
Edge On: CINCINNATI (32)


MLB > (921) NY YANKEES @ (922) CLEVELAND | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Line: CLEVELAND-162 BTB PowerLine: CLEVELAND-200
Edge On: CLEVELAND (38)


MLB > (919) TAMPA BAY @ (920) BOSTON | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Line: TAMPA BAY BTB PowerLine: TAMPA BAY109
Edge On: TAMPA BAY (16)


MLB > (905) WASHINGTON @ (906) NY METS | 2016-07-08 19:10:00 - 2016-07-08 19:10:00
Line: WASHINGTON BTB PowerLine: WASHINGTON112
Edge On: WASHINGTON (17)


MLB > (923) MINNESOTA @ (924) TEXAS | 2016-07-08 20:05:00 - 2016-07-08 20:05:00
Line: TEXAS-170 BTB PowerLine: TEXAS-189
Edge On: TEXAS (19)


MLB > (909) ST LOUIS @ (910) MILWAUKEE | 2016-07-08 20:10:00 - 2016-07-08 20:10:00
Line: ST LOUIS BTB PowerLine: ST LOUIS135
Edge On: ST LOUIS (11)


MLB > (929) ATLANTA @ (930) CHI WHITE SOX | 2016-07-08 20:10:00 - 2016-07-08 20:10:00
Line: ATLANTA BTB PowerLine: ATLANTA-240
Edge On: ATLANTA (40)

MLB > (925) OAKLAND @ (926) HOUSTON | 2016-07-08 20:10:00 - 2016-07-08 20:10:00
Line: OAKLAND BTB PowerLine: OAKLAND-142
Edge On: OAKLAND (16)


MLB > (907) PHILADELPHIA @ (908) COLORADO | 2016-07-08 20:10:00 - 2016-07-08 20:10:00
Line: PHILADELPHIA BTB PowerLine: PHILADELPHIA-117
Edge On: PHILADELPHIA (19)

MLB > (927) SEATTLE @ (928) KANSAS CITY | 2016-07-08 20:15:00 - 2016-07-08 20:15:00
Line: SEATTLE BTB PowerLine: SEATTLE108
Edge On: SEATTLE (14)


MLB > (911) SAN DIEGO @ (912) LA DODGERS | 2016-07-08 22:10:00 - 2016-07-08 22:10:00
Line: SAN DIEGO BTB PowerLine: SAN DIEGO-160
Edge On: SAN DIEGO (20)

 

[CNOTES]

Live long shots poised to pounce heading into MLB's All-Star break


Seattle’s +50 run differential as of Thursday morning ranked ninth in MLB and is more indicative of a 47-38 squad than a 43-42 organization.


The first half of the 2016 Major League Baseball season will conclude Sunday with a pleasant mix of surprising and predictable results that should help facilitate an exhilarating second half push toward the Fall Classic.


Predictable in the sense that top-5 Opening Day payroll clubs like the Dodgers (1), Red Sox (3) and Giants (5) all find themselves either in firm control of their respective divisional races or within striking distance. Surprising in the sense that the preseason afterthought Baltimore Orioles currently lead the American League East, while the defending champion Kansas City Royals find themselves in the middle of the American League pack.


Since professional baseball expanded its postseason format from eight teams to ten in 2012, 17 of a possible 24 divisional champions (70.8 percent) were leading their respective divisions at the All-Star break, while 30 of a possible 40 playoff participants (75.0 percent) were within 2.5 games of first place by the Mid-Summer Classic.


In fact, of the 40 teams to qualify for the MLB postseason since 2012, only two (2012 A’s and 2015 Cubs) did so after finding themselves more than 7.0 games out of first place in their respective divisions by the All-Star break.


Granted, the 2015 Cubs were trying to chase a 100-win Cardinals team that was 56-33 in mid July, but the 2012 A’s are without question a fascinating story. With a mediocre .500 record (43-43) that resulted in a nine-game deficit at the All-Star break, Oakland went 51-25 over its final 76 games to overtake both the Rangers and Angels for the American League West crown. And the A’s did so in stunning fashion, no less, by recording a shocking three-game sweep of the Rangers over the final three games of the season to win the A.L. West by one solitary game.


Using MLB.com’s postseason probabilities tool, we can go back to 2012 and determine the precise chances each club possessed of qualifying for the postseason on any given date. Using the All-Star break as the date for each season from 2012-2015, here’s what we found out:


- 20 of a possible 40 playoff teams had a 75 percent chance or greater of making the postseason at the All-Star break.


- 29 of a possible 40 playoff teams had a 60 percent chance or greater of making the postseason at the All-Star break.


- 31 of a possible 40 playoff teams had a 50 percent chance or greater of making the postseason at the All-Star break.


- Only 3 of a possible 40 playoff teams had a 10 percent chance or less of making the postseason at the All-Star break.


It’s this last category that we want to focus our efforts on today, as our mission is to identify which, if any, current World Series long shots may turn on the afterburners during the second half of the season and put us in position to cash a lucrative betting slip.


In addition to the 2012 Oakland Athletics (5 percent), the 2012 Baltimore Orioles (8 percent) and 2015 Texas Rangers (7 percent) make up the three MLB clubs who qualified for the playoffs with a less than ten percent chance to do so at the All-Star break.


Baltimore went 48-29 during the second half of the 2012 campaign and defeated the Rangers in the American League wild card game before falling in five games to the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Aided by a second half Angels collapse, the 2015 Rangers went 46-28 over the second half of the season and won the A.L. West before the high-flying Toronto Blue Jays ended their World Series dream in five games during the ALDS.


So which, if any, somewhat under-the-radar clubs could experience a second-half surge that results in a surprising 2016 playoff berth? Here are three to keep an eye on:

Seattle Mariners, 43-42 (40/1): 2010 Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez (calf) makes his first rehab assignment Sunday and is expected back with the big club in the very near future after hitting the disabled list on June 1. But more importantly, Seattle’s +50 run differential as of Thursday morning ranked ninth in Major League Baseball and is more indicative of a 47-38 squad than a 43-42 organization. If the Mariners meet their potential during the second half of the season, Seattle should have a solid chance of closing that 3.5-game gap between them and the final American League wild card spot.

Miami Marlins, 44-41 (40/1): Almost too quietly, the Marlins have ridden respectable pitching to a surprising place among the National League’s top-7 clubs as of Thursday’s slate of action. But with a -7 run differential (eighth in NL) and a young roster that has little experience in terms of a late season playoff push, Miami will have its hands full come September in a loaded National League. The upside? Miami should be active at the August 1 trade deadline and has the luxury of playing 13 of their final 25 games against the Braves (28-57) and Phillies (40-46).

Pittsburgh Pirates, 44-42 (100/1): Eliminate a May 31-June 23 swoon that saw Pittsburgh drop 18 of 23 games and the Pirates would have a record of 39-24 (.619). Wishful thinking, I know, but this club is much better than their current record indicates. The Pirates have been to the postseason in each of the past three years, understand the rigors that come with a September playoff push and get staff ace Gerrit Cole back from a June triceps injury in time to pitch the first game off the All-Star break. Additionally, the Pirates have won 10 of their last 13 games and come at the exceptional price of 100/1, which is absolutely worth a shot.

 

[CNOTES]

7/67- Yesterday's Results: 5 - 6 - 1 + 0.76




July's Totals: 47 - 48 + 9.78 49.74%




Overall : 224 - 210 + 41.34 51.61%



FRIDAY, JULY 8


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


CHC at PIT 07:05 PM


PIT +179


O 8.0




LAA at BAL 07:05 PM


LAA +100


O 10.0




DET at TOR 07:07 PM

DET +174




NYY at CLE 07:10 PM


CLE -157




WAS at NYM 07:10 PM


WAS -102




TB at BOS 07:10 PM


BOS -108

U 10.0




CIN at MIA 07:10 PM


CIN +241




MIN at TEX 08:05 PM


MIN +161


U 9.5




PHI at COL 08:10 PM

PHI +141


O 11.0




ATL at CHW 08:10 PM


ATL +262


U 8.0



OAK at HOU 08:10 PM


HOU -171


U 8.5




STL at MIL 08:10 PM

STL -125




SEA at KC 08:15 PM

SEA -106




SD at LAD 10:10 PM


SD +182




ARI at SF 10:15 PM


SF -146


O 7.5

 

[CNOTES]

Baseball Capsules
July 9, 2016


NEW YORK (AP) Stephen Strasburg stayed undefeated, winning a marquee pitching matchup against an ailing Noah Syndergaard by tossing seven innings of two-hit ball Friday night that sent the Washington Nationals to a 3-1 victory over the banged-up New York Mets.


Clint Robinson hit a two-run homer for the Nationals, going deep for the second consecutive night, and Daniel Murphy added an RBI double against his former team. Strasburg (12-0) struck out nine and became the first National League pitcher in 104 years to win his first 12 decisions in a season.


Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save, helping Washington extend its NL East lead to four games over the Mets after dropping the opener of the four-game series Thursday night.


Syndergaard (9-4) and slugger Yoenis Cespedes left early with injuries - hours after New York announced that struggling pitcher Matt Harvey will have season-ending surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.


PIRATES 8, CUBS 4


PITTSBURGH (AP) - Andrew McCutchen had three hits, including an RBI single during Pittsburgh's four-run seventh inning, and the Pirates rallied for a rare victory over Jake Arrieta and the Cubs.


John Jaso's RBI single tied it at 4 and chased Arrieta (12-4), who had beaten the Pirates in all three previous starts this season and entered with a 9-1 career record against them. The Cubs had won eight of the first nine meetings with Pittsburgh this year.


Josh Bell then scored the go-ahead run from second base when first baseman Anthony Rizzo fielded Gregory Polanco's ground ball and threw wildly to reliever Travis Wood covering first. McCutchen followed with his RBI single and Starling Marte drove in the inning's final run with a grounder.


Neftali Feliz (3-0) pitched an inning for the win and Mark Melancon got the final out for his 27th save.


INDIANS 10, YANKEES 2


CLEVELAND (AP) - Mike Napoli hit one of five Cleveland home runs, a 462-foot drive that nearly hit the scoreboard in left field.


Napoli's two-run homer in the third inning landed near the top of the bleachers for his 18th of the season.


Cleveland's five home runs marked a season high, with three coming in the first inning. Jason Kipnis homered twice, and Carlos Santana and Lonnie Chisenhall also connected.


All-Star Corey Kluber (9-8) pitched eight innings for the win. Yankees rookie Chad Green (1-2) was charged with seven runs in 4 1/3 innings.


Brian McCann homered in the sixth for the Yankees, who are 3-5 on a 10-game trip going into the All-Star break.


BRAVES 11, WHITE SOX 8


CHICAGO (AP) - Freddie Freeman, Tyler Flowers and Nick Markakis homered against All-Star Chris Sale, leading the Braves to the road win.


Chicago turned its third triple play this season in the third - the only inning Atlanta didn't score against Sale (14-3) in his five innings. The White Sox ace, bidding to become the majors' first 15-game winner, allowed 10 hits - including a career-worst seven for extra bases - and a season-high eight runs.


Todd Frazier hit his 24th homer and Adam Eaton also connected against Atlanta starter Matt Wisler (4-8), who gave up six runs and eight hits in five innings but got his first win since June 16.


BLUE JAYS 6, TIGERS 0


TORONTO (AP) - J.A. Happ and two relievers combined on a seven-hitter, Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer and the Blue Jays extended their season-high winning streak to seven games.


In his final start before the All-Star break, Happ (12-3) matched his career high in wins. He struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings.


Tigers right-hander Mike Pelfrey (2-8) allowed one run and six hits in six innings. He has won just once in seven starts.


Detroit has lost four of five.

RANGERS 6, TWINS 5


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Rougned Odor and Elvis Andrus had RBI triples, and the Rangers overcame a lackluster performance for All-Star left-hander Cole Hamels.


Texas twice blew two-run leads before finally going ahead for good in the sixth. Nomar Mazara had a leadoff double against Ryan Pressly (2-5) before Andrus tripled and scored the go-ahead run on Bobby Wilson's sacrifice fly.


Tony Barnette (6-3) threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Hamels, who matched a career high with six walks while throwing 109 pitches to get through 4 1/3 innings. Sam Dyson worked the ninth for his 18th save.


Miguel Sano hit a three-run homer for Minnesota, which has the AL's worst record at 30-56.


RED SOX 6, RAYS 5


BOSTON (AP) - David Ortiz hit his 21st homer, powering Boston to its fourth win in five games.


Ortiz's homer - the 524th of his career - tied him with Jimmie Foxx for seventh-most in American League history. Robbie Ross, Jr. (1-1) got the victory, and Koji Uehara picked up his third save.


Tampa Bay's Chris Archer (4-12) took the loss, surrendering five runs and seven hits in six innings.


Evan Longoria had four hits and a home run for the Rays, who have lost four straight and 20 of 23.


MARLINS 3, REDS 1


MIAMI (AP) - Jose Fernandez pitched seven sharp innings to help Miami to the win.


Christian Yelich homered and drove in two runs and Derek Dietrich also knocked in a run for the Marlins, who returned home after a 3-6 road trip.


Fernandez (11-4) allowed an unearned run and six hits. A.J. Ramos worked the ninth for his 26th save in 27 chances.


Dan Straily (4-6) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings for the Reds.


ANGELS 9, ORIOLES 5


BALTIMORE (AP) - Daniel Nava had two RBIs and made a spectacular catch to help the Angels earn their fourth straight victory.


Mike Trout scored three runs for the Angels, who built an 8-1 lead in the fourth inning against the AL East leaders. The four-game winning streak matches a season high for Los Angeles.


The victory came at a cost. First baseman C.J. Cron - who has 11 homers and 50 RBIs - fractured a bone in his left hand when hit by a pitch from Mike Wright in the sixth inning. He will see a specialist Monday, the team said.


Matt Shoemaker (4-9) allowed three runs and five hits in five-plus innings to earn his first win since May 27. Baltimore's Ubaldo Jimenez (5-9) gave up five runs in 1 1/3 innings.


BREWERS 4, CARDINALS 3

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Jonathan Villar hit a game-ending RBI single with two out in the ninth, lifting Milwaukee to the win.


Villar's hit, off Seung Hwan Oh, got past diving third baseman Greg Garcia. Left fielder Tommy Pham's throw to the plate was on line and Yadier Molina slapped a quick tag on Kirk Nieuwenhuis as he slid. The home plate umpire ruled Nieuwenhuis safe, leading to an argument from Molina.


The call was confirmed after a brief review.


Chris Carter homered twice for Milwaukee, and Jonathan Lucroy also went deep. Jeremy Jeffress (2-4) got the win in relief.


Nieuwenhuis led off the ninth with a walk off Trevor Rosenthal (2-4). He moved to second on a sacrifice by Hernan Perez.


MARINERS 3, ROYALS 2


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Hisashi Iwakuma pitched into the seventh inning, and Seattle scored the go-ahead runs on Yordano Ventura's wild pitch.


Iwakuma (9-6) allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings. Steve Cishek, who blew a save opportunity in the series opener, allowed Salvador Perez's homer in the ninth inning before finishing for his 21st save.


Ventura (6-6) was charged with three runs and six hits in seven innings.


Ventura's wild pitch allowed Seth Smith to score in the sixth. Perez threw the ball away trying to get him out at the plate, allowing Robinson Cano to score - the star catcher was given an error on the play.


ASTROS 10, ATHLETICS 9


HOUSTON (AP) - Luis Valbuena hit a game-ending, three-run homer, lifting Houston to a wild win.


The Athletics took the lead with a five-run ninth inning before the Astros rallied in the bottom half.


Jose Altuve singled with one out. Carlos Correa struck out, but reached on a wild pitch before Valbuena connected against Ryan Madson (3-3).


Michael Feliz (6-1) got the win.


Yonder Alonso and Marcus Semien homered for Oakland, which finished with 14 hits.


PHILLIES 5, ROCKIES 3


DENVER (AP) - Pinch hitter Tommy Joseph connected for a three-run homer in the seventh inning, leading Philadelphia to the road win.


Vince Velasquez (8-2) allowed two runs over six innings and won his third straight start. He struck out six and walked two.


The Phillies snapped a five-game losing streak to the Rockies and have won eight of their last 10 overall.


Rockies starter Jon Gray left the game with a 2-0 lead and runners on the corners with one out in the seventh. The Phillies put up four runs in their next two at-bats off Jake McGee (0-3).


Jeanmar Gomez got four outs for his 24th save.


DODGERS 10, PADRES 6


LOS ANGELES (AP) - Yasmani Grandal homered three times to drive in six runs, Justin Turner and Howie Kendrick added solo shots and Los Angeles snapped a three-game skid.


The teams combined for 28 hits and seven homers, including two by San Diego's Melvin Upton Jr.


Both starters struggled mightily before leaving early. San Diego's Andrew Cashner gave up a career-high eight runs, while Los Angeles' Scott Kazmir labored through a 31-pitch, 27-minute first inning in a game that lasted 3 hours, 45 minutes.


Grandal had the first three-homer game of his career against his former team. He singled in the eighth, giving him a career-high five hits.


Pedro Baez (2-2) got the win in relief, allowing one hit in 2 2/3 innings.


Cashner (3-7) lasted just 2 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits, including four homers, while striking out two and walking three.


GIANTS 6, DIAMONDBACKS 2


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Brandon Crawford drove in three runs and came within a triple of hitting for the cycle and Jeff Samardzija overcame a shaky first inning to get the win for San Francisco.


Brandon Belt walked four times and scored for the Giants after earlier in the day being voted by fans to fill the final spot on the NL roster for next week's All-Star Game.


Crawford homered, singled, walked and doubled. He hit his ninth home run of the season off Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin (4-7) in the second.


Jean Segura homered leading off the game for Arizona.


Samardzija (9-5) walked three and struck out six in 6 1/3 innings to win for the first time in four starts.The right-hander gave up two runs, both in the first inning. Three relievers completed the seven-hitter.

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack


-- A woman in New Jersey found a lottery ticket worth $470,000 while getting ready to do her taxes.


-- 75-year old Larry Brown resigned as basketball coach at SMU. Tim Jankovich is the Mustangs' new coach. SMU is on probation for two more years.


-- Matt Harvey is having season-ending surgery on his shoulder.


-- Red Sox acquired 2B/3B Aaron Hill, adding a righthanded bat for their infield.


-- Looks like the 2017 NFL Draft will take place in Philadelphia.


-- Apparently Thomas Jefferson is responsible for bringing macaroni and cheese to this country, after visiting France.


**********


Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Thoughts on a sad day.......


I don't feel like writing today, but I will because it is what I do. This probably won't be that well-written or that well-organized, but these are my thoughts on a cruddy day.


This has been a dismal week for America; we can't lean on the crutch of blaming other countries or religions-- we did this to ourselves.


Seven people dead; five in Dallas, one in Louisiana, one in Minnesota; why? We need to be better people, better employees, more respectful of disparate cultures. America is a melting pot and always has been; we have to make sure the pot doesn't boil over.


We have to do better as a country-- we need to be more tolerant of each other, need to be nicer to each other and no, being nice is not a sign of weakness.


We need leaders who will earn people's respect; seen many of those lately?


We need to worry less about the Middle East and more about America- we neglected this country, in trying to be the policeman for the entire world. No more.


Turns out the shooter in Dallas was an Army veteran, making things even worse.


There need to be less weapons in this country, no matter what the NRA says.


Social media and cameras in phones have outpaced traditional journalism in letting the world see what is going on. The news gets out faster, reactions are faster, and often these reactions are explosive and dangerous. There is less careful thought now.


Being a policeman is a difficult job, an important job, often a thankless job; it needs to be done well, so there is respect between the police and the people they protect.


Shootings are becoming so common that we're getting desensitized to them; just one more special report on CNN. How do you fix that? I do not have an answer.


All I can offer is this:
-- Talk to people. Listen to people. Get along with people. Be nice!!!!
-- Tolerate differing opinions and lifestyles. It is OK to disagree.
-- Respect authority; the police are hired to protect us.
-- We're lucky to live in a free country; lets not abuse the privilege.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up


Saturday, July 9


National League games
Cubs @ Pirates
Lester is 0-1, 6.19 in his last three starts; six of his last nine went over. Cubs are 6-3 in his road outings.


Kuhl is 1-0, 4.09 in two MLB starts (under 1-0-1).


Pirates won eight of last nine games, over is 10-6 in their last 16 games. Cubs are 5-14 in last 19 games, over is 9-1-1 in their last eleven road games.


Reds @ Marlins
Lamb is 0-2, 6.84 in his last five starts; his last three went over. Cincinnati is 2-3 in his road starts.


Conley is 3-1, 2.25 in his last four starts; six of his last eight starts stayed under. Miami is 4-3 in home home starts.


Reds lost 12 of last 16 games, over is 12-5 in their last 17 games. Miami is 9-3 in its last 12 home games, nine of their last 13 games went over the total.


Nationals @ Mets
Scherzer is 4-2, 1.90 in his last seven starts; Washington is 6-5 in his road starts. Six of his last nine starts went over.


Verrett is 0-3, 10.80 in his last three starts (over 2-2-1). .


Washington lost eight of last ten road games; over is 14-6 in their last 20 road games. Mets won ten of last 11 home games, under is 13-6-2 in last 21 New York games.


Phillies @ Rockies
Eickhoff is 2-0, 2.89 in his last three starts; seven of his last nine stayed under. Phillies are 3-5 in his road starts.


Anderson is 0-3, 3.34 in five MLB starts (under 4-1).


Philly won nine of its last 11 games; over is 16-7 in their last 23 road games. Colorado lost eight of last ten games, over is 7-2 in last nine games at Coors Field. .


Padres @ Dodgers
Perdomo is 2-2, 7.06 in six starts this year (over 5-1).


McCarthy threw five shutout innings (72 PT) in his first '16 start. .


Padres are 11-7 in last 18 games, over is 15-5-1 in their last 21 games. Los Angeles lost three of last four games; nine of last twelve games at Dodger Stadium stayed under.


Diamondbacks @ Giants
Ray is 0-2, 6.35 in his last three starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Arizona is 2-6 in his road starts.


Peavy is 4-1, 3.41 in his last five starts (under 6-2 in last eight). Giants are 6-3 in his hme starts this season. .


Arizona lost ten of last 12 games, over is 11-2-1 in their last 14 games. Giants won six of last eight games, seven of last ten San Francisco home games went over.


American League games
Angels @ Orioles
Tropeano is 2-0, 2.66 in his last four starts; under is 4-1-1 in his road starts. Angels are 3-3 in his road starts.


Gallardo is 2-0, 5.31 in his last four starts (over 4-4)- Orioles are 3-0 in his home starts. .


Angels won their last four games, over is 10-5 in their last 15 games. Baltimore lost six of last eight games; five of last six Oriole games went over the total.


Tigers @ Blue Jays
unknown. .


Sanchez is 3-0, 1.93 in his last four starts; Toronto won his last five home starts. Under is 8-5 n his last thirteen starts.


Tigers lost four of last five games, under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Toronto is 17-6 in last 23 home games, four of last five Blue Jay games stayed under.


Rays @ Red Sox
Moore is 2-0, 1.32 in his last two starts; five of his last six stayed under.


Porcello is 3-0, 4.30 in his last four starts; four of his last five went over. Boston won all eight of his home starts.


Tampa Bay lost 20 of last 23 games, over is 11-6 in Rays' last 17 road games. Red Sox won six of last eight at home, over is 5-0-1 in last six Boston games.


New York @ Indians
Sabathia is 0-2, 8.83 in his last three starts (over 2-0-1). Bronx is 4-4 in his road starts.


Salazar is 6-0, 2.42 in his last seven starts (over 6-4-1 in last 11). Cleveland won his last six home starts.


New York is 7-13 in its last 20 road games, nine of last 11 Bronx road games went over total. Indians won 17 of last 21 games, six of last seven Cleveland games went over.


Twins @ Rangers
Nolasco is 0-3, 6.87 in his last three starts; five of his last six went over. Twins are 3-5 in his road starts.


Martinez is 0-1, 6.86 in four starts this year; his last three went over.


Minnesota won five of last seven games but is 4-10 in last 14 road games, over is 22-9-2 in their last 33 road games. Rangers lost seven of last ten games, over is 6-0-1 in its last seven Texas games.


A's @ Astros
Graveman is 2-0, 3.07 in his last five starts; A's won his last four road starts. Six of his last nine road starts went over.


McCullers is 1-0, 1.86 in his last three starts; his last five stayed under. Houston won four of his last five home starts. .


A's lost seven of last nine games, over is 8-3 in Oakland's last 11 road games. Houston won 17 of its last 22 games, under is 11-4 in Astros' last 15 home games.


Mariners @ Royals
Miley is 0-3, 5.74 in his last three starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. Seattle won five of his last six road starts.


Volquez is 0-1, 2.84 in his last two starts; five of his last seven stayed under. Kansas City is 7-3 in his home starts.


Mariners lost 10 of last 11 road games; ten of last 11 Seattle road games stayed under. . Royals lost six of last eight games; last three Royal games stayed under.


Interleague
Braves @ White Sox
Teheran is 1-0, 1.90 in his last three starts; his last six stayed under. Atlanta is 4-3 in his road starts.


Quintana is 1-1, 4.33 in his last four starts; Chicago lost his last four home starts. Under is 15-1 in his last sixteen starts.


Atlanta lost four of its last six games, under is 10-2 in last 12 Atlanta road games. White Sox won five of last eight at home, five of last six Chicago home games went over.


Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:
Chi-Pitt-- Lester 12-5; Kuhl 2-0
Cin-Mia-- Lamb 3-9; Conley 9-8
Wsh-NY-- Scherzer 10-8; Verrett 2-3
Phil-Col-- Eickhoff 8-9; Anderson 1-4
StL-Mil-- Martinez 7-9; Anderson 5-11
SD-LA-- Perdomo 4-2; McCarthy 1-0
Az-SF-- Ray 5-12; Peavy 9-8


LA-Balt-- Tropeano 5-6; Gallardo 5-3
Det-Tor-- unknown x-x; Sanchez 11-6
TB-Bos-- Moore 7-10; Porcello 12-5
NY-Clev-- Sabathia 7-7; Salazar 11-5 (7-0 last 7)
Min-Tex-- Nolasco 6-11; Martinez 1-3
A's-Hst-- Graveman 7-9 (5-0 last 5); McCullers 6-3
Sea-KC-- Miley 9-6; Volquez 10-8


Atl-Chi-- Teheran 4-13; Quintana 8-9


Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:
Chi-Pitt-- Lester 5-17; Kuhl 0-2
Cin-Mia-- Lamb 5-12; Conley 5-17
Wsh-NY-- Scherzer 7-18; Verrett 1-5
Phil-Col-- Eickhoff 6-17; Anderson 1-5
StL-Mil-- Martinez 1-16; Anderson 7-16
SD-LA-- Perdomo 4-6; McCarthy 0-1
Az-SF-- Ray 3-17; Peavy 3-17


LA-Balt-- Tropeano 2-11; Gallardo 4-8
Det-Tor-- unknown x-x; Sanchez 3-17
TB-Bos-- Moore 3-17; Porcello 6-17
NY-Clev-- Sabathia 1-14; Salazar 1-16
Min-Tex-- Nolasco 7-17; Martinez 1-4
A's-Hst-- Graveman 4-16; McCullers 3-9
Sea-KC-- Miley 7-15; Volquez 5-18


Atl-Chi-- Teheran 4-17; Quintana 3-17


Umpires
Chi-Pitt-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten Vanover games.
Cin-Mia-- Underdogs won six of last ten Bucknor games.
Wsh-NY-- Four of last five Joyce games stayed under.
Phil-Col-- Over is 13-3-1 in Meals games this season.
StL-Mil-- 10 of last 12 TBarrett games went over total.
SD-LA-- Last five Torres games went over the total.
Az-SF-- Six of last nine Carlson games went over the total.


LA-Balt-- Sis of last nine Baker games stayed under.
Det-Tor-- Under is 11-5 in Ripperger games this year.
TB-Bos-- Seven of last eight Barber games stayed under.
NY-Clev-- Last six Cuzzi games stayed under total.
Min-Tex-- Eight of last nine Miller games went over.
A's-Hst-- Last three Danley games stayed under total.
Sea-KC-- Underdogs won three of last five Bucknor games.


Atl-Chi-- Five of last seven Davidson games went over.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB

Saturday, July 9

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1:07 PM
DETROIT vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games on the road
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Detroit
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

2:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games
Chi White Sox are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Chi White Sox's last 12 games when playing Atlanta

2:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. MILWAUKEE
St. Louis is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games on the road
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing St. Louis
Milwaukee is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing St. Louis

4:05 PM
LA ANGELS vs. BALTIMORE
LA Angels are 6-12 SU in their last 18 games
LA Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games
Baltimore is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

4:05 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. BOSTON
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Boston
Boston is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay

4:05 PM
ARIZONA vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games
Arizona is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing San Francisco
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games when playing Arizona
San Francisco is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games at home

4:10 PM
OAKLAND vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oakland's last 11 games on the road
Oakland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Houston's last 25 games

4:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. CLEVELAND
NY Yankees are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
NY Yankees are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games
Cleveland is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Yankees

4:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. MIAMI
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 8 games when playing Cincinnati

4:15 PM
SEATTLE vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Kansas City
Kansas City is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing Seattle

7:15 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games on the road
San Diego is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of LA Dodgers's last 12 games at home
LA Dodgers are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games

7:15 PM
CHI CUBS vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 10 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chi Cubs's last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:15 PM
WASHINGTON vs. NY METS
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Washington's last 14 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing NY Mets
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
NY Mets are 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home

8:40 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. COLORADO
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Colorado's last 9 games

9:05 PM
MINNESOTA vs. TEXAS
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 11 games when playing on the road against Texas
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Minnesota's last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Texas's last 11 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Texas is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Dunkel


Saturday, July 9




Detroit @ Toronto


Game 965-966
July 9, 2016 @ 1:07 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Boyd) 17.601
Toronto
(Sanchez) 16.504
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
N/A


LA Angels @ Baltimore


Game 967-968
July 9, 2016 @ 4:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Trpeano) 13.941
Baltimore
(Gallardo) 17.079
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 3
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baltimore
-135
10
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
(-135); Over


Tampa Bay @ Boston


Game 969-970
July 9, 2016 @ 4:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Moore) 15.388
Boston
(Prcello) 14.167
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-165
10
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(+145); Over


NY Yankees @ Cleveland


Game 971-972
July 9, 2016 @ 4:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Sbathia) 14.208
Cleveland
(Salazar) 16.399
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-170
8
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-170); Under


St. Louis @ Milwaukee


Game 951-952
July 9, 2016 @ 2:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Mrtinez) 15.849
Milwaukee
(Andrson) 14.256
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-170
9
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-170); Over


Oakland @ Houston


Game 973-974
July 9, 2016 @ 4:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Grveman) 16.127
Houston
(McCllers) 14.903
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-195
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(+167); Under


Arizona @ San Francisco


Game 953-954
July 9, 2016 @ 4:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Ray) 13.093
San Francisco
(Peavy) 15.404
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 2 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-155
8
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
(-155); Under


Seattle @ Kansas City


Game 975-976
July 9, 2016 @ 4:15 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Miley) 16.996
Kansas City
(Volquez) 14.588
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 2 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-125
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(+105); Over


Cincinnati @ Miami


Game 955-956
July 9, 2016 @ 4:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Lamb) 14.834
Miami
(Conley) 13.458
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
-200
9
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(+170); Under


Minnesota @ Texas


Game 977-978
July 9, 2016 @ 8:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
(Nolasco) 11.018
Texas
(Lohse) 17.563
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 6 1/2
14
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-115
11 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(-115); Over


Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh


Game 957-958
July 9, 2016 @ 7:15 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 11.697
Pittsburgh
(Kuhl) 17.744
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 6
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-165
8
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(+145); Over


Atlanta @ Chicago White Sox


Game 979-980
July 9, 2016 @ 2:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Teheran) 13.996
Chicago White Sox
(Quntana) 16.103
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago White Sox
-170
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
(-170); Under


Washington @ NY Mets


Game 959-960
July 9, 2016 @ 7:15 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Scherzer) 16.456
NY Mets
(Verrett) 14.248
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-190
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-190); Over


San Diego @ LA Dodgers


Game 961-962
July 9, 2016 @ 7:15 pm


Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Perdomo) 13.972
LA Dodgers
(McCrthy) 16.420
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 2 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-225
8
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-225); Under


Philadelphia @ Colorado


Game 963-964
July 9, 2016 @ 8:40 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
(Eickhff) 17.613
Colorado
(Andrson) 13.789
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 4
14
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-150
11 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+130); Over

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Long Sheet


Saturday, July 9


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS (44 - 42) at MILWAUKEE (38 - 47) - 2:10 PM
CARLOS MARTINEZ (R) vs. CHASE ANDERSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 25-16 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ST LOUIS is 25-16 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 55-37 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
MARTINEZ is 17-6 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MARTINEZ is 17-6 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
MILWAUKEE is 4-17 (-11.5 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 72-109 (-29.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-3 (+2.7 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.2 Units)


CARLOS MARTINEZ vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
MARTINEZ is 2-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 1.65 and a WHIP of 1.061.
His team's record is 3-2 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.3 units)


CHASE ANDERSON vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
ANDERSON is 0-1 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 2.76 and a WHIP of 1.592.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.1 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIZONA (38 - 50) at SAN FRANCISCO (55 - 33) - 4:05 PM
ROBBIE RAY (L) vs. JAKE PEAVY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 11-21 (-11.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 68-124 (-43.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 22-59 (-31.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
RAY is 13-27 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
RAY is 13-26 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
RAY is 6-19 (-13.7 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 55-33 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 21-9 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 52-33 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 22-12 (+10.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 35-19 (+11.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 39-19 (+14.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 64-35 (+22.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PEAVY is 9-1 (+8.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 23-18 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ARIZONA is 22-17 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 16-11 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 7-5 (+0.7 Units) against ARIZONA this season
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.6 Units, Under=-0.9 Units)


ROBBIE RAY vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
RAY is 1-0 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 3.18 and a WHIP of 1.471.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.4 units)


JAKE PEAVY vs. ARIZONA since 1997
PEAVY is 17-13 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.47 and a WHIP of 1.263.
His team's record is 20-16 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 15-20. (-8.4 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CINCINNATI (32 - 55) at MIAMI (45 - 41) - 4:10 PM
JOHN LAMB (L) vs. ADAM CONLEY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 95-154 (-45.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 95-154 (-45.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 57-94 (-26.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 46-91 (-31.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 13-6 (+11.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)


JOHN LAMB vs. MIAMI since 1997
No recent starts.


ADAM CONLEY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
CONLEY is 1-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS (52 - 34) at PITTSBURGH (45 - 42) - 7:15 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. CHAD KUHL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1540-1657 (-272.8 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1-7 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1483-1570 (-247.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1129-1232 (-209.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 143-107 (+24.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 21-15 (+8.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
PITTSBURGH is 7-1 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 150-99 (+49.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 143-107 (+24.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 33-25 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 87-53 (+28.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 388-394 (+48.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 32-18 (+17.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 40-22 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 50-61 (-19.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 8-2 (+4.9 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.4 Units)


JON LESTER vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
LESTER is 4-3 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 1.90 and a WHIP of 1.141.
His team's record is 4-3 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-1. (+4.7 units)


CHAD KUHL vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (52 - 36) at NY METS (47 - 39) - 7:15 PM
MAX SCHERZER (R) vs. LOGAN VERRETT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 135-115 (-16.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 134-114 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 84-79 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 101-90 (-15.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 8-12 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
NY METS are 188-231 (-59.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 7-4 (+2.3 Units) against NY METS this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.6 Units)


MAX SCHERZER vs. NY METS since 1997
SCHERZER is 4-3 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.10 and a WHIP of 0.850.
His team's record is 4-5 (-3.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-2. (+4.8 units)


LOGAN VERRETT vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
VERRETT is 0-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.600.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN DIEGO (38 - 49) at LA DODGERS (49 - 40) - 7:15 PM
LUIS PERDOMO (R) vs. BRANDON MCCARTHY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 6-21 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
LA DODGERS are 143-113 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 46-38 (-4.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 80-64 (-9.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 5-6 (+1.8 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.4 Units)


LUIS PERDOMO vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.


BRANDON MCCARTHY vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
MCCARTHY is 6-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.73 and a WHIP of 1.105.
His team's record is 7-1 (+6.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-4. (+0.1 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILADELPHIA (41 - 47) at COLORADO (39 - 47) - 8:40 PM
JERAD EICKHOFF (R) vs. TYLER ANDERSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 41-47 (+4.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-14 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 523-544 (+24.8 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-29 (+12.5 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 50-53 (+13.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 213-293 (-87.2 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997.
COLORADO is 9-15 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 1-1 (+0.4 Units) against COLORADO this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)


JERAD EICKHOFF vs. COLORADO since 1997
No recent starts.


TYLER ANDERSON vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT (45 - 42) at TORONTO (50 - 39) - 1:05 PM
MATT BOYD (L) vs. AARON SANCHEZ (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 (+0.7 Units) against DETROIT this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)


MATT BOYD vs. TORONTO since 1997
BOYD is 0-1 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.77 and a WHIP of 1.589.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)


AARON SANCHEZ vs. DETROIT since 1997
SANCHEZ is 0-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 0.500.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS (37 - 50) at BALTIMORE (49 - 36) - 4:05 PM
NICK TROPEANO (R) vs. YOVANI GALLARDO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 37-50 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 34-49 (-16.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 49-36 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 31-14 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BALTIMORE is 47-31 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 36-25 (+10.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BALTIMORE is 53-28 (+20.3 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 40-18 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
GALLARDO is 25-17 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 807-797 (+62.7 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 288-246 (+72.9 Units) against the money line in road games in day games since 1997.
GALLARDO is 1-8 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)


Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 2-2 (-0.1 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.9 Units)


NICK TROPEANO vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
No recent starts.


YOVANI GALLARDO vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
GALLARDO is 0-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 11.25 and a WHIP of 2.750.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY (34 - 52) at BOSTON (47 - 38) - 4:05 PM
MATT MOORE (L) vs. RICK PORCELLO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 34-52 (-24.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 1-7 (-8.3 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 34-48 (-18.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 13-24 (-11.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TAMPA BAY is 23-42 (-24.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TAMPA BAY is 17-34 (-20.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
TAMPA BAY is 11-30 (-22.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PORCELLO is 69-37 (+22.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 196-214 (-36.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 105-106 (-29.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 83-106 (-27.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 110-109 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 49-64 (-21.9 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 89-107 (-29.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 4-3 (+1.9 Units) against BOSTON this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)


MATT MOORE vs. BOSTON since 1997
MOORE is 4-5 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 5.57 and a WHIP of 1.313.
His team's record is 4-5 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-5. (-1.3 units)


RICK PORCELLO vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
PORCELLO is 7-4 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.98 and a WHIP of 1.175.
His team's record is 9-4 (+5.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-9. (-5.4 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY YANKEES (42 - 44) at CLEVELAND (52 - 34) - 4:10 PM
C.C. SABATHIA (L) vs. DANNY SALAZAR (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 42-44 (-7.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 5-12 (-13.4 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 52-34 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 30-11 (+17.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CLEVELAND is 16-4 (+10.6 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 1-1 (+0.4 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)


C.C. SABATHIA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
SABATHIA is 4-2 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 3.12 and a WHIP of 1.353.
His team's record is 4-5 (-6.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-4. (+0.7 units)


DANNY SALAZAR vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
SALAZAR is 1-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.75 and a WHIP of 1.417.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OAKLAND (37 - 50) at HOUSTON (47 - 40) - 4:10 PM
KENDALL GRAVEMAN (R) vs. LANCE MCCULLERS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 37-50 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 40-59 (-18.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 86-100 (-31.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 38-56 (-20.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 34-47 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 80-100 (-19.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 5-18 (-14.5 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 17-32 (-15.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
OAKLAND is 11-35 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 31-16 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
HOUSTON is 81-47 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 81-47 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 54-28 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 41-45 (+30.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +200 since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 5-3 (+2.1 Units) against OAKLAND this season
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.6 Units, Under=-0.5 Units)


KENDALL GRAVEMAN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
GRAVEMAN is 1-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 6.91 and a WHIP of 1.814.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)


LANCE MCCULLERS vs. OAKLAND since 1997
MCCULLERS is 1-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 2.31 and a WHIP of 1.457.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE (44 - 43) at KANSAS CITY (44 - 42) - 4:15 PM
WADE MILEY (L) vs. EDINSON VOLQUEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 120-129 (-27.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 114-126 (-31.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 51-67 (-27.3 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 150-114 (+30.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 29-12 (+15.5 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 28-12 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 46-28 (+19.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 44-39 (+6.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 62-48 (+12.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 18-9 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KANSAS CITY is 18-6 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
VOLQUEZ is 35-21 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 21-7 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 12-2 (+9.6 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 34-18 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VOLQUEZ is 61-42 (+23.4 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 76-59 (+20.4 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 104-149 (-50.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 3-2 (+0.9 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+5.0 Units)


WADE MILEY vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
MILEY is 4-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.91 and a WHIP of 1.147.
His team's record is 4-1 (+3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.1 units)


EDINSON VOLQUEZ vs. SEATTLE since 1997
VOLQUEZ is 4-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 2.17 and a WHIP of 1.312.
His team's record is 4-2 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.2 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MINNESOTA (30 - 56) at TEXAS (54 - 34) - 9:05 PM
RICKY NOLASCO (R) vs. NICK MARTINEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 30-56 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 11-29 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MINNESOTA is 30-56 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 16-33 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 20-42 (-19.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 14-41 (-23.3 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
NOLASCO is 6-20 (-13.3 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 54-34 (+27.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 29-13 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
TEXAS is 11-2 (+11.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.
TEXAS is 53-31 (+28.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TEXAS is 39-23 (+21.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 40-24 (+20.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TEXAS is 32-21 (+15.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TEXAS is 27-19 (+10.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NOLASCO is 74-65 (+26.5 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 15-6 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in road games in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 70-63 (+22.6 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 56-38 (+31.0 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 37-34 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)


Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 3-2 (+1.6 Units) against TEXAS this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)


RICKY NOLASCO vs. TEXAS since 1997
NOLASCO is 0-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)


NICK MARTINEZ vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
MARTINEZ is 0-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 6.06 and a WHIP of 1.958.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ATLANTA (30 - 57) at CHI WHITE SOX (44 - 42) - 2:10 PM
JULIO TEHERAN (R) vs. JOSE QUINTANA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 34-25 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 14-3 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in home games after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 40-55 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
QUINTANA is 15-23 (-13.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
QUINTANA is 5-14 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
QUINTANA is 31-46 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)


Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 1-0 (+2.4 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)


JULIO TEHERAN vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.


JOSE QUINTANA vs. ATLANTA since 1997
QUINTANA is 1-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 1.59 and a WHIP of 2.116.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Colon, Scherzer, Saunders, Belt added to All-Star rosters
July 9, 2016


NEW YORK (AP) Bartolo Colon and Max Scherzer are headed to the All-Star Game, picked as replacements for other pitchers originally selected to the National League team.


Major League Baseball also announced Friday that Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders and San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt won the final two All-Star roster spots, elected by fans in online balloting.


''This is a proud moment for me and my family,'' Saunders said. ''Everyone knows that Canada takes care of their own. I'm Canadian through and through. Just to feel that support, the best way I can describe, everyone's been asking me, is I feel loved by this country. To see the support they gave me is very humbling.''


Saunders joins the American League team, while Belt gets a slot on the NL squad.


''Extremely excited, obviously. It's hard to put into words,'' Belt said. ''I just can't believe that I'm an All-Star this year. It's pretty cool, especially when you step back and think about how many fans voted and how many times they voted, how many messages that I got of how their thumbs were numb. It's pretty overwhelming to think about.''


The 43-year-old Colon was chosen to replace Madison Bumgarner in Tuesday's showcase in San Diego because the Giants ace is scheduled to pitch Sunday against Arizona.


A fan favorite with the New York Mets, Colon is 7-4 with a 3.28 ERA. He was picked by his own manager - Terry Collins of the Mets will lead the NL team.


''It means a lot, especially for someone my age,'' Colon said through a translator. ''It surprised me a lot.''


In one of the most stunning and charming moments of the season, Colon homered in San Diego in early May, becoming the oldest player to hit his first major league home run.


The hefty right-hander said his fourth All-Star nod (first in the NL) was very meaningful to him because he's ''in the final stages'' of his career. He said he'd like to pitch one more season in the majors if healthy.


''When I asked him if he wanted to go the All-Star Game, he said yes. He didn't say, hey, I need to rest, I'm 43 years old, I'm shot. He said, `Thank you, I'd like to go.' So he's going to go,'' Collins said, drawing laughs.


Scherzer (9-6, 3.21 ERA, major league-leading 155 strikeouts) was selected to his fourth straight All-Star Game. He will substitute for Washington Nationals teammate Stephen Strasburg, who came off the disabled list this week and won't pitch in the showcase as a precaution. Strasburg, who is from San Diego, plans to attend the game, the Nationals said.


''Max was excited. Never seen a veteran guy as elated as he, to be a part of the All-Star Game,'' Washington manager Dusty Baker said. ''I think he's a good representative to show people what a privilege and an honor it is to go.''


Strasburg (12-0) started Friday night and beat the New York Mets 3-1 in his second outing since coming off the DL. He returned from an upper back strain Sunday against Cincinnati.


''Because of Stephen's injury that he just came off of, being on three days' rest, it would have cost him time again with us,'' Baker said. ''So I'm just glad that he's going, especially in his hometown. But there's a lot of risk for Stephen since he just came off the DL and you don't know how he's going to come through this game tonight. So everybody decided it'd be better that he doesn't start or pitch.''


Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte finished second just behind Belt, who received 10.4 million votes. He also beat out Colorado rookie shortstop Trevor Story, Arizona third baseman Jake Lamb and Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun.


Houston outfielder George Springer was runner-up to Saunders, who garnered 17.7 million votes. Behind them were Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia, Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler and Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria.

 

[CNOTES]

LEADING OFF: Sanchez looks for another win for Blue Jays
July 8, 2016


A look at what's happening all around the majors Saturday:


SURGING SANCHEZ


Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez (9-1, 2.94 ERA) looks for his third straight win when he faces the Detroit Tigers. Sanchez, who turned 24 on July 1, is 3-0 with a sparkling 1.61 ERA in his last four starts. He hasn't lost since April 22 against Oakland.


FEELING BETTER


Right-hander Julio Teheran, Atlanta's lone All-Star, has been cleared to make his regular start against the White Sox after being treated for an infection due to an ingrown hair on his right thigh. ''If everything goes well tomorrow and he feels good Sunday, he'll be available to pitch in the All-Star Game, I'm assuming,'' interim manager Brian Snitker said Friday. Teheran (3-7, 2.72 ERA) faces left-hander Jose Quintana (6-8, 3.06 ERA) in the second game of the series.


VERRETT'S CHANCE


Logan Verrett starts in place of Matt Harvey when the New York Mets take on Max Scherzer and the NL East-leading Washington Nationals. Harvey is headed for season-ending surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome and manager Terry Collins has said Verrett likely will get a chance to hold down that spot in the rotation. The right-hander is 3-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 23 appearances this season, including five starts. ''I know I'm not Matt Harvey, I'm Logan Verrett. My job is to pitch and however I can get in there and help the team is exactly what I'm going to do,'' Verrett said.


BUXTON'S STATUS


Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton is day to day after he bruised his right knee when he crashed into the outfield wall in the first inning of Friday night's game at Texas. The ball hit by Rougned Odor clipped off the edge of Buxton's glove and the bill of his cap before he ran into the padded wall. The impact broke his sunglasses into multiple pieces. Buxton was eventually taken off the field on a motorized cart, climbing into the front seat with help and without putting any pressure on his right leg.

 

[CNOTES]

Cespedes, Syndergaard leave Mets' loss to Nats with injuries
July 9, 2016


NEW YORK (AP) Injuries are piling up at a dizzying pace for the New York Mets. This time, it was their two best players who went down.


Yoenis Cespedes and Noah Syndergaard were removed early from Friday night's 3-1 loss to the rival Washington Nationals, only hours after New York announced that struggling pitcher Matt Harvey will have season-ending surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.


''I guess it's part of the game. I've never had it in such mass before, to where it's every day. It's hard to walk into this room because the conversation is about who got hurt tonight,'' manager Terry Collins said. ''As you guys know, I'm a little tired of talking about it. That's my job to talk about it, but I'm running out of things to say and we're running out of bodies.''


Cespedes was pulled after three innings with a strained right quadriceps and said he hopes to return after the All-Star break next week. The slugger got hurt chasing Daniel Murphy's RBI double to deep center field in the third and was replaced by Juan Lagares in the fourth.


With his velocity dropping, Syndergaard (9-4) exited in the fifth with arm fatigue that was not elbow-related, the Mets said. The big right-hander has been pitching with a bone spur in his right elbow that he called ''pretty insignificant.''


''His arm went dead. He's got a tired arm and (his) stuff went away,'' Collins said. ''But he said there's no pain.''


Cespedes and Syndergaard were selected for the All-Star Game in San Diego, but both are unlikely to participate, Collins said. They are expected to be examined Saturday.


Collins will manage the National League squad Tuesday and said before Friday night's game that Syndergaard would definitely pitch in the Midsummer Classic, a pledge that lasted just a few hours.


''It's disappointing, but there will be a lot more,'' Syndergaard said. ''It's a long season, you put a lot of wear and tear on your body, just right now I think I need a little break.''


Already on the disabled list for well more than a month now are first baseman Lucas Duda and third baseman David Wright. Not to mention right-hander Zack Wheeler, making a slow recovery from March 2015 Tommy John surgery.


Wright is almost certainly out for the season following neck surgery to repair a herniated disk. Duda isn't expected back anytime soon, and there's no longer a timetable for Wheeler's return following a few setbacks in his rehabilitation program.


''We just have to keep going. As I've told you before, nobody in baseball feels sorry for us,'' Collins said.


With two outs in the fifth and a 2-2 count on Jayson Werth, Syndergaard stepped off the rubber. He was throwing his sizzling fastball in the high-90s (mph) earlier in the game, but his first two heaters to Werth clocked 93 mph.


''Didn't have that late life, that little bit of extra whip at the end. I could tell something wasn't necessarily right,'' Syndergaard said.


Mets catcher Rene Rivera visited the mound and then went back behind the plate before Collins and assistant trainer Brian Chicklo came out of the dugout, drawing groans from the crowd.


Syndergaard waved his glove in their direction as if to shoo them away, but after a meeting on the mound, he walked back to the dugout with Chicklo.


''I feel like I could have finished the inning out,'' Syndergaard said. ''I think I was still spotting up, but just, I'd look at the radar gun and see 93, 94 (mph). It's pretty uncharacteristic of me.''


Seth Lugo relieved with New York trailing 3-0 and was given all the time he needed to warm up. The rookie right-hander tossed two hitless innings.


''I didn't feel any pain, no discomfort, just fatigue, really,'' Syndergaard said. ''I just think it's that time of the year - my first full season in the big leagues. I've thrown a lot of pitches. I've thrown a lot of innings.''


He reiterated that the issue had nothing to do with his bone spur.


''It all boils down to a little shoulder fatigue,'' Syndergaard said. ''I felt like it was probably building up throughout the game a little bit. ... I got checked out after the game when I got pulled out, and no concerns from the doctor.''


Stephen Strasburg (12-0) threw seven innings of two-hit ball and Clint Robinson hit a two-run homer for the Nationals, who extended their NL East lead to four games over the Mets after New York won the opener of the four-game set Thursday night.


Jonathan Papelbon earned his 18th save.


It was the first matchup between Syndergaard and Strasburg, who is 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA in three outings against the Mets this year.


The start was delayed 37 minutes by rain.

TAKE THAT!


Murphy, booed again by the Citi Field crowd of 35,030, has hit safely in all 11 games against the Mets since they let him leave as a free agent in the offseason. He's batting .409 with 15 RBIs and five of his career-high 15 homers vs. New York.


UP NEXT


Max Scherzer (9-6, 3.21 ERA) pitches Saturday night against RHP Logan Verrett (3-5, 4.01), who starts in place of Harvey.

 

[CNOTES]

Phillips suffers hairline fracture in hand
July 8, 2016


MIAMI (AP) Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was hit by a pitch on the left hand and X-rays revealed he sustained a hairline fracture.


Phillips was hit by a pitch thrown by Jose Fernandez in the top of the seventh inning in the Reds' 3-1 loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday night.


Phillips initially stayed in the game before being taken out in the bottom of the eighth in favor of Jose Peraza.


''It wasn't good enough to stay in the game,'' Reds manager Bryan Price said. ''It was real sore. We'll have to see where he is tomorrow with a lot of ice and time to sleep and get the swelling down.''


Phillips is hitting .256 with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 80 games this season.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB MONEYLINE


MLB > (969) TAMPA BAY@ (970) BOSTON | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Play AGAINST TAMPA BAY using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 11 Wins and 30 Losses for the this season (-22.75 units)


MLB > (977) MINNESOTA@ (978) TEXAS | 2016-07-09 21:05:00 - 2016-07-09 21:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line in All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 53 Wins and 31 Losses for the this season (+28.8 units)

MLB > (977) MINNESOTA@ (978) TEXAS | 2016-07-09 21:05:00 - 2016-07-09 21:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line in all games
The record is 54 Wins and 34 Losses for the this season (+27.3 units)

MLB > (977) MINNESOTA@ (978) TEXAS | 2016-07-09 21:05:00 - 2016-07-09 21:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line in All games when playing on Saturday
The record is 11 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+11.55 units)

MLB > (965) DETROIT@ (966) TORONTO | 2016-07-09 13:05:00 - 2016-07-09 13:05:00
Play ON DETROIT using money line in Road games in day games
The record is 26 Wins and 13 Losses for the last two seasons (+19 units)

MLB > (975) SEATTLE@ (976) KANSAS CITY | 2016-07-09 16:15:00 - 2016-07-09 16:15:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using money line in All games at home with a money line of -100 to -125
The record is 50 Wins and 19 Losses for the last three seasons (+28.3 units)


MLB > (969) TAMPA BAY@ (970) BOSTON | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Play AGAINST TAMPA BAY using money line in All games against right-handed starters
The record is 23 Wins and 42 Losses for the this season (-24.65 units)


MLB > (971) NY YANKEES@ (972) CLEVELAND | 2016-07-09 16:10:00 - 2016-07-09 16:10:00
Play ON CLEVELAND using money line in All games when the total is 8 to 8.5
The record is 30 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (+17 units)

MLB > (967) LA ANGELS@ (968) BALTIMORE | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE using money line in Home games against right-handed starters
The record is 25 Wins and 9 Losses for the this season (+13.95 units)


MLB > (957) CHICAGO CUBS@ (958) PITTSBURGH | 2016-07-09 19:15:00 - 2016-07-09 19:15:00
Play ON PITTSBURGH using money line in All games in July games
The record is 7 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+9.55 units)


-------------------------


MLB RUNLINE


MLB > (969) TAMPA BAY@ (970) BOSTON | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Play AGAINST TAMPA BAY in Road games after 3 or more consecutive losses
The record is 1 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (-15 units)


MLB > (975) SEATTLE@ (976) KANSAS CITY | 2016-07-09 16:15:00 - 2016-07-09 16:15:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY in Home games when playing with a day off
The record is 21 Wins and 7 Losses for the last three seasons (+21 units)

MLB > (967) LA ANGELS@ (968) BALTIMORE | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE in All games in home games
The record is 28 Wins and 17 Losses for the this season (+17.7 units)


MLB > (967) LA ANGELS@ (968) BALTIMORE | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE in Home games in games played on a grass field
The record is 28 Wins and 17 Losses for the this season (+17.7 units)

MLB > (969) TAMPA BAY@ (970) BOSTON | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Play AGAINST TAMPA BAY in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 12 Wins and 29 Losses for the this season (-23.25 units)

MLB > (971) NY YANKEES@ (972) CLEVELAND | 2016-07-09 16:10:00 - 2016-07-09 16:10:00
Play ON CLEVELAND in All games at home when the total is 8 to 8.5
The record is 14 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (+11.65 units)


MLB > (965) DETROIT@ (966) TORONTO | 2016-07-09 13:05:00 - 2016-07-09 13:05:00
Play ON TORONTO in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 30 Wins and 15 Losses for the last three seasons (+19.75 units)


MLB > (965) DETROIT@ (966) TORONTO | 2016-07-09 13:05:00 - 2016-07-09 13:05:00
Play ON TORONTO in All games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 32 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.25 units)


------------------

MLB TOTALS


MLB > (977) MINNESOTA@ (978) TEXAS | 2016-07-09 21:05:00 - 2016-07-09 21:05:00
Play OVER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games in night games
The record is 34 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+21.9 units)

MLB > (961) SAN DIEGO@ (962) LA DODGERS | 2016-07-09 19:15:00 - 2016-07-09 19:15:00
Play UNDER LA DODGERS on the totalin Home games against division opponents
The record is 2 Overs and 15 Unders for the this season (+12.65 units)

MLB > (977) MINNESOTA@ (978) TEXAS | 2016-07-09 21:05:00 - 2016-07-09 21:05:00
Play OVER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 52 Overs and 29 Unders for the this season (+21.4 units)


MLB > (965) DETROIT@ (966) TORONTO | 2016-07-09 13:05:00 - 2016-07-09 13:05:00
Play UNDER TORONTO on the totalin All games against left-handed starters
The record is 5 Overs and 18 Unders for the this season (+12.65 units)

MLB > (967) LA ANGELS@ (968) BALTIMORE | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Play OVER BALTIMORE on the totalin All games in day games
The record is 17 Overs and 5 Unders for the this season (+11.9 units)


MLB > (961) SAN DIEGO@ (962) LA DODGERS | 2016-07-09 19:15:00 - 2016-07-09 19:15:00
Play UNDER LA DODGERS on the totalin All games in home games
The record is 14 Overs and 32 Unders for the this season (+15.55 units)


MLB > (963) PHILADELPHIA@ (964) COLORADO | 2016-07-09 20:40:00 - 2016-07-09 20:40:00
Play OVER COLORADO on the totalin Home games after a loss
The record is 45 Overs and 22 Unders for the last two seasons (+21.6 units)


MLB > (957) CHICAGO CUBS@ (958) PITTSBURGH | 2016-07-09 19:15:00 - 2016-07-09 19:15:00
Play OVER CHICAGO CUBS on the totalin Road games against right-handed starters
The record is 22 Overs and 9 Unders for the this season (+12.65 units)


MLB > (965) DETROIT@ (966) TORONTO | 2016-07-09 13:05:00 - 2016-07-09 13:05:00
Play OVER DETROIT on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 30 Overs and 15 Unders for the this season (+14.15 units)


MLB > (955) CINCINNATI@ (956) MIAMI | 2016-07-09 16:10:00 - 2016-07-09 16:10:00
Play OVER CINCINNATI on the totalin All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 49 Overs and 31 Unders for the this season (+16.85 units)


MLB > (955) CINCINNATI@ (956) MIAMI | 2016-07-09 16:10:00 - 2016-07-09 16:10:00
Play OVER CINCINNATI on the total in all games
The record is 49 Overs and 31 Unders for the this season (+16.85 units)

 

[CNOTES]

TOP POWER LINES


MLB > (965) DETROIT @ (966) TORONTO | 2016-07-09 13:05:00 - 2016-07-09 13:05:00
Line: TORONTO-235 BTB PowerLine: TORONTO-295
Edge On: TORONTO (60)


MLB > (951) ST LOUIS @ (952) MILWAUKEE | 2016-07-09 14:10:00 - 2016-07-09 14:10:00
Line: ST LOUIS BTB PowerLine: ST LOUIS195
Edge On: ST LOUIS (40)


MLB > (979) ATLANTA @ (980) CHI WHITE SOX | 2016-07-09 14:10:00 - 2016-07-09 14:10:00
Line: ATLANTA BTB PowerLine: ATLANTA-170
Edge On: ATLANTA (13)


MLB > (969) TAMPA BAY @ (970) BOSTON | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Line: BOSTON-164 BTB PowerLine: BOSTON-190
Edge On: BOSTON (26)


MLB > (953) ARIZONA @ (954) SAN FRANCISCO | 2016-07-09 16:05:00 - 2016-07-09 16:05:00
Line: SAN FRANCISCO-124 BTB PowerLine: SAN FRANCISCO-146
Edge On: SAN FRANCISCO (22)


MLB > (971) NY YANKEES @ (972) CLEVELAND | 2016-07-09 16:10:00 - 2016-07-09 16:10:00
Line: CLEVELAND-175 BTB PowerLine: CLEVELAND-204
Edge On: CLEVELAND (29)


MLB > (955) CINCINNATI @ (956) MIAMI | 2016-07-09 16:10:00 - 2016-07-09 16:10:00
Line: MIAMI-185 BTB PowerLine: MIAMI-219
Edge On: MIAMI (34)


MLB > (973) OAKLAND @ (974) HOUSTON | 2016-07-09 16:10:00 - 2016-07-09 16:10:00
Line: OAKLAND BTB PowerLine: OAKLAND-184
Edge On: OAKLAND (11)


MLB > (957) CHICAGO CUBS @ (958) PITTSBURGH | 2016-07-09 19:15:00 - 2016-07-09 19:15:00
Line: CHICAGO CUBS BTB PowerLine: CHICAGO CUBS197
Edge On: CHICAGO CUBS (37)


MLB > (961) SAN DIEGO @ (962) LA DODGERS | 2016-07-09 19:15:00 - 2016-07-09 19:15:00
Line: LA DODGERS-230 BTB PowerLine: LA DODGERS-251
Edge On: LA DODGERS (21)


MLB > (959) WASHINGTON @ (960) NY METS | 2016-07-09 19:15:00 - 2016-07-09 19:15:00
Line: WASHINGTON BTB PowerLine: WASHINGTON176
Edge On: WASHINGTON (16)


MLB > (963) PHILADELPHIA @ (964) COLORADO | 2016-07-09 20:40:00 - 2016-07-09 20:40:00
Line: PHILADELPHIA BTB PowerLine: PHILADELPHIA-132
Edge On: PHILADELPHIA (8)


MLB > (977) MINNESOTA @ (978) TEXAS | 2016-07-09 21:05:00 - 2016-07-09 21:05:00
Line: TEXAS-120 BTB PowerLine: TEXAS-173
Edge On: TEXAS (53)