Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Friday
DODGERS (Urias) at METS (deGrom) 7:10 PM
Take: DODGERS + 112
I’ve had a pretty good run in terms of suggestions for the Dodgers coming to fruition. I’ve been on Yasiel Puig’s case for some time. Puig has loads of talent, but he’s either one of the dumbest players of all time or he just doesn’t give a rat’s behind. Take your pick on those counts. But props are in order for manager Dave Roberts.
Just one night after committing two boneheaded plays, Puig decided to admire a well-hit ball that ended up not being a home run. Roberts finally decided enough was enough, pulled Puig from the game and benched him for the next game. It’s about time. I have no idea whether Puig will finally get the message, although my bet would be on the “no”.
I’ve also been ranting about how the Dodgers need to call up pitching sensation Julio Urias. I don’t care whether they start him or place him in the bullpen to limit his innings. But he’s been too good for AAA ball all season, and the Dodgers have finally summoned him to the big club.
Urias is evidently going to both start and relieve, which is fine. That way, the Dodgers can probably keep him at right around 100 innings, while also benefiting from the talent this southpaw sensation owns.
I was hoping that when Urias got the call, it would be on the road. That way, I would avoid having to pay a premium to back him in his debut. So I got my wish, as the kid will be a small underdog tonight as the Dodgers open a big weekend series with the Mets.
Urias is the total package. He has great stuff, and amazing on field maturity for someone so young. Calling Urias advanced for his age is a whopping understatement. I definitely expect him to do well in his very first appearance, and it doesn’t hurt that he’ll face a Mets entry that hasn’t exactly been terrorizing opposing lefties.
Jacob deGrom gets the call for the Mets tonight, and while he’s still very solid, deGrom is simply not pitching at the level we saw from him last season.. The velocity is down substantially and whole deGrom is still getting plenty of swings and misses, his K rate is noticeably down and he just hasn’t been dominating this season.
This has the look off a dynamite duel. But I’d pretty much made up my mind that I would be backing Urias at any reasonable price when he finally arrived, and I’ve certainly received what I was hoping for on that count. I’m on the Dodgers as small road dogs tonight.
Bonus Play Friday
DODGERS (Urias) at METS (deGrom) 7:10 PM
Take: DODGERS + 112
I’ve had a pretty good run in terms of suggestions for the Dodgers coming to fruition. I’ve been on Yasiel Puig’s case for some time. Puig has loads of talent, but he’s either one of the dumbest players of all time or he just doesn’t give a rat’s behind. Take your pick on those counts. But props are in order for manager Dave Roberts.
Just one night after committing two boneheaded plays, Puig decided to admire a well-hit ball that ended up not being a home run. Roberts finally decided enough was enough, pulled Puig from the game and benched him for the next game. It’s about time. I have no idea whether Puig will finally get the message, although my bet would be on the “no”.
I’ve also been ranting about how the Dodgers need to call up pitching sensation Julio Urias. I don’t care whether they start him or place him in the bullpen to limit his innings. But he’s been too good for AAA ball all season, and the Dodgers have finally summoned him to the big club.
Urias is evidently going to both start and relieve, which is fine. That way, the Dodgers can probably keep him at right around 100 innings, while also benefiting from the talent this southpaw sensation owns.
I was hoping that when Urias got the call, it would be on the road. That way, I would avoid having to pay a premium to back him in his debut. So I got my wish, as the kid will be a small underdog tonight as the Dodgers open a big weekend series with the Mets.
Urias is the total package. He has great stuff, and amazing on field maturity for someone so young. Calling Urias advanced for his age is a whopping understatement. I definitely expect him to do well in his very first appearance, and it doesn’t hurt that he’ll face a Mets entry that hasn’t exactly been terrorizing opposing lefties.
Jacob deGrom gets the call for the Mets tonight, and while he’s still very solid, deGrom is simply not pitching at the level we saw from him last season.. The velocity is down substantially and whole deGrom is still getting plenty of swings and misses, his K rate is noticeably down and he just hasn’t been dominating this season.
This has the look off a dynamite duel. But I’d pretty much made up my mind that I would be backing Urias at any reasonable price when he finally arrived, and I’ve certainly received what I was hoping for on that count. I’m on the Dodgers as small road dogs tonight.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Friday, May 27, 2016 7:05 PM
(903) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS VS (904) WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Take: UNDER
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Friday, May 27, 2016 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Nationals in Washington. Washington is a big park, great for pitchers, and the Cardinals have a good one going in Jaime Garcia (3.59 ERA). He has fanned 51 in 52+ innings and has allowed fewer hits than innings pitched. The Under is 8-1-2 in Garcia's last 11 starts following a team loss in their previous game. Washington is No. 2 in the NL in pitching team ERA and the Under is 17-8-1 in National's last 26 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Ace Max Scherzer goes here, with n 84-18 strikeout to walk ratio in 66 innings! He's allowed 2 runs in each of his last three starts. Scherzer (5-3) allowed two runs on six hits over eight innings while striking out eight in Sunday's win over the Marlins. He was sharp all day, throwing 76 of 103 pitches for strikes and the under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Washington. Play St. Louis/Washington Under the total.
Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Friday, May 27, 2016 7:05 PM
(903) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS VS (904) WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Take: UNDER
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Friday, May 27, 2016 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Nationals in Washington. Washington is a big park, great for pitchers, and the Cardinals have a good one going in Jaime Garcia (3.59 ERA). He has fanned 51 in 52+ innings and has allowed fewer hits than innings pitched. The Under is 8-1-2 in Garcia's last 11 starts following a team loss in their previous game. Washington is No. 2 in the NL in pitching team ERA and the Under is 17-8-1 in National's last 26 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Ace Max Scherzer goes here, with n 84-18 strikeout to walk ratio in 66 innings! He's allowed 2 runs in each of his last three starts. Scherzer (5-3) allowed two runs on six hits over eight innings while striking out eight in Sunday's win over the Marlins. He was sharp all day, throwing 76 of 103 pitches for strikes and the under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Washington. Play St. Louis/Washington Under the total.
Brandon Shively
Dodgers vs Mets
Bonus Play Los Angeles Dodgers
The story line here is 19 year old Julio Urias making his MLB debut. Urias is said to be the No.2 overall ranked prospect in the Minors. Urias has a 1.10 ERA with 44 K’s in 41 innings pitched in AAA this season and has not given up a run in his last 27 innings pitched. I like to look at taking a pitcher making his debut the majority of the time if it makes sense and this play makes sense to me. Urias has the pitcher’s edge over the Mets lineup that has never seen him before. If the Mets offense was actually hitting the ball right now, I might think twice here, but they are only hitting .215 as a team over the last two weeks, striking out 29% of the time, which only the Brewers have a worse mark in this time frame. The only thing that is keeping me from making this a Premium Pick, is the fact that the line opened up Ny Mets -150 and has dropped roughly 30 cents from the opener. I am a value bettor, and although I still like the Dodgers to win this game, a lot of the value is gone now, so this is going to be a 1* rated free pick.
Jacob DeGrom gets the call for the Mets and DeGrom’s velocity along with his numbers are all down across the board this season. While Matt Harvey has been the talk around the Met’s clubhouse recently, DeGrom has been able to avoid the criticism, and the oddsmaker seems to have not taken notice yet either.
DeGrom is giving up ‘hard hit’ balls 35.7% of the time this season, up from 26.3% last year. His strikeout rate is down for 27% to only 17%. He had a 5.39 K/BB ratio last year and is down to only 2.73 this season. I mentioned a decrease in velocity as his fastball is down a full 2 MPH along with all of his other pitches. DeGrom has a 4.63 ERA for the month of May and has walked 3 batters in each of his last two starts. He faced the Dodgers earlier this season and gave up 8 hits in 7 innings and escaped only giving up 2 runs. Now as his command has been an issue his last couple of starts, I don’t see him cruising past the Dodgers lineup again.
DeGrom has made two career starts at home vs. the Dodgers, and he was a home underdog in both starts. Now the tables have turned with this slightly inflated line and case of 'role reversal'. In six career starts vs. the Dodgers, DeGrom is only getting an average of 3 runs of support a game, which is goes in our favor tonight as well.
The Dodgers come into this game on a four game winning streak and have won 69% of the last 16 meetings in New York.(1* LA Dodgers)
Dodgers vs Mets
Bonus Play Los Angeles Dodgers
The story line here is 19 year old Julio Urias making his MLB debut. Urias is said to be the No.2 overall ranked prospect in the Minors. Urias has a 1.10 ERA with 44 K’s in 41 innings pitched in AAA this season and has not given up a run in his last 27 innings pitched. I like to look at taking a pitcher making his debut the majority of the time if it makes sense and this play makes sense to me. Urias has the pitcher’s edge over the Mets lineup that has never seen him before. If the Mets offense was actually hitting the ball right now, I might think twice here, but they are only hitting .215 as a team over the last two weeks, striking out 29% of the time, which only the Brewers have a worse mark in this time frame. The only thing that is keeping me from making this a Premium Pick, is the fact that the line opened up Ny Mets -150 and has dropped roughly 30 cents from the opener. I am a value bettor, and although I still like the Dodgers to win this game, a lot of the value is gone now, so this is going to be a 1* rated free pick.
Jacob DeGrom gets the call for the Mets and DeGrom’s velocity along with his numbers are all down across the board this season. While Matt Harvey has been the talk around the Met’s clubhouse recently, DeGrom has been able to avoid the criticism, and the oddsmaker seems to have not taken notice yet either.
DeGrom is giving up ‘hard hit’ balls 35.7% of the time this season, up from 26.3% last year. His strikeout rate is down for 27% to only 17%. He had a 5.39 K/BB ratio last year and is down to only 2.73 this season. I mentioned a decrease in velocity as his fastball is down a full 2 MPH along with all of his other pitches. DeGrom has a 4.63 ERA for the month of May and has walked 3 batters in each of his last two starts. He faced the Dodgers earlier this season and gave up 8 hits in 7 innings and escaped only giving up 2 runs. Now as his command has been an issue his last couple of starts, I don’t see him cruising past the Dodgers lineup again.
DeGrom has made two career starts at home vs. the Dodgers, and he was a home underdog in both starts. Now the tables have turned with this slightly inflated line and case of 'role reversal'. In six career starts vs. the Dodgers, DeGrom is only getting an average of 3 runs of support a game, which is goes in our favor tonight as well.
The Dodgers come into this game on a four game winning streak and have won 69% of the last 16 meetings in New York.(1* LA Dodgers)
Mike Lundin
White Sox vs Royals
8* MLB Free Pick Kansas City Royals
This is the opener of a shortened series after Thursday's contest rained out. The Kansas City Royals have won seven of their past 10 games but failed to sweep the Twins when they fell 7-5 on Wednesday. They're 20-8 in their last 28 games following a loss and 4-0 in their last four during Game 1 of a series, and I think they'll take care of business against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.
The White Sox have dropped nine of their past 12 and will send Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 4.57 ERA) to the hill. Gonzalez is 0-4 with a 6.00 ERA in his last four outings versus Kansas City and gave up two runs on six hits in six innings of a 2-1 home loss to KC on Saturday (pitching opposite Danny Duffy). Jarrod Dyson is 7-for-8 in previous at bats against the right-hander and Lorenzo Cain 3-for-6 with a homer.
Duffy (0-0, 2.13) held the White Sox scoreless on four hits through 63 pitches in 4 1/3 innings of work in Saturday's contest, his second start of the year. Duffy has been working out of the bullpen for a better part of the season but injuries have given him a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. Duffy is 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 12 career appearances (10 starts) against the White Sox, and while his pitch count is likely to be limited tonight as well, I'm not too worried as KC has a very capable bullpen and the White Sox's bats are cold.
Salvador Perez was 9-for-12 in the Minnesota series and is batting .432 during an 11-game hitting streak. He's 5-for-14 with a homer against Gonzalez.
White Sox vs Royals
8* MLB Free Pick Kansas City Royals
This is the opener of a shortened series after Thursday's contest rained out. The Kansas City Royals have won seven of their past 10 games but failed to sweep the Twins when they fell 7-5 on Wednesday. They're 20-8 in their last 28 games following a loss and 4-0 in their last four during Game 1 of a series, and I think they'll take care of business against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.
The White Sox have dropped nine of their past 12 and will send Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 4.57 ERA) to the hill. Gonzalez is 0-4 with a 6.00 ERA in his last four outings versus Kansas City and gave up two runs on six hits in six innings of a 2-1 home loss to KC on Saturday (pitching opposite Danny Duffy). Jarrod Dyson is 7-for-8 in previous at bats against the right-hander and Lorenzo Cain 3-for-6 with a homer.
Duffy (0-0, 2.13) held the White Sox scoreless on four hits through 63 pitches in 4 1/3 innings of work in Saturday's contest, his second start of the year. Duffy has been working out of the bullpen for a better part of the season but injuries have given him a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. Duffy is 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 12 career appearances (10 starts) against the White Sox, and while his pitch count is likely to be limited tonight as well, I'm not too worried as KC has a very capable bullpen and the White Sox's bats are cold.
Salvador Perez was 9-for-12 in the Minnesota series and is batting .432 during an 11-game hitting streak. He's 5-for-14 with a homer against Gonzalez.
Matt Josephs
Tigers vs A's
Bonus Play Detroit Tigers
The Tigers hit the road to begin a set in Oakland against the A's. Sean Manaea is 1-2 with a 7.61 ERA in five outings for Oakland. He has allowed 22 runs and 31 hits in 26 innings of work. The Tigers come into this one hot offensively hitting .308 in their last seven contests and .267 overall. Oakland's bullpen has a 4.29 ERA and four losses to go with five blown saves. Michael Fulmer is 3-1 with a 5.13 ERA in five starts for Detroit. He is coming off a winning home effort against the Rays where he had 11 strikeouts in seven innings. The potential is there and he should be able to continue that on Friday. Oakland is 8-15 at home where they are hitting .223 as a team. The A's have lost six of their last seven and are hitting .211 over that span. The Tigers pen scares me even though they have just two losses and three blown saves on the road. Detroit took three of four at home from Oakland and should be able to keep that trend going.
Tigers vs A's
Bonus Play Detroit Tigers
The Tigers hit the road to begin a set in Oakland against the A's. Sean Manaea is 1-2 with a 7.61 ERA in five outings for Oakland. He has allowed 22 runs and 31 hits in 26 innings of work. The Tigers come into this one hot offensively hitting .308 in their last seven contests and .267 overall. Oakland's bullpen has a 4.29 ERA and four losses to go with five blown saves. Michael Fulmer is 3-1 with a 5.13 ERA in five starts for Detroit. He is coming off a winning home effort against the Rays where he had 11 strikeouts in seven innings. The potential is there and he should be able to continue that on Friday. Oakland is 8-15 at home where they are hitting .223 as a team. The A's have lost six of their last seven and are hitting .211 over that span. The Tigers pen scares me even though they have just two losses and three blown saves on the road. Detroit took three of four at home from Oakland and should be able to keep that trend going.
Scott Spreitzer
BAL vs CLE
Bonus Play OVER 8.5
I'm recommending a play on the Over between the Orioles & Indians on Friday night. Cleveland has had little trouble scoring runs at home this season, averaging 5.42 rpg. In fact, they have averaged 6.5 rpg in their last 11 games, overall. I like their chances against Mike Wright. The Baltimore righty has lowered his ERA under 5.00 over his last couple of starts, but he's not been too hot on the road this season, where he's posted a 5.94 ERA & 1.32 WHIP in three starts. That's not a big sample size, obviously, but it means a little more when we consider this season's numbers follow a 2015 campaign where he finished with a 6.00 ERA & 1.83 WHIP in five road appearances. Baltimore struggled on offense against Houston this week, but I do believe they'll right the ship enough against Trevor Bauer to aid our Over play. The right-hander has allowed 10 earned runs in 17 1/3 IP at home this season. He faced the Orioles twice last season, allowing four home runs and eight earned runs in 11 1/3 IP. 45 of Cleveland's last 66 home games have gone over the total when they're opposed by a right-handed starter. We mentioned the runs the Indians are putting up at home and we expect more of the same results tonight. I'm recommending a play on the Over between the Orioles & Indians on Friday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
BAL vs CLE
Bonus Play OVER 8.5
I'm recommending a play on the Over between the Orioles & Indians on Friday night. Cleveland has had little trouble scoring runs at home this season, averaging 5.42 rpg. In fact, they have averaged 6.5 rpg in their last 11 games, overall. I like their chances against Mike Wright. The Baltimore righty has lowered his ERA under 5.00 over his last couple of starts, but he's not been too hot on the road this season, where he's posted a 5.94 ERA & 1.32 WHIP in three starts. That's not a big sample size, obviously, but it means a little more when we consider this season's numbers follow a 2015 campaign where he finished with a 6.00 ERA & 1.83 WHIP in five road appearances. Baltimore struggled on offense against Houston this week, but I do believe they'll right the ship enough against Trevor Bauer to aid our Over play. The right-hander has allowed 10 earned runs in 17 1/3 IP at home this season. He faced the Orioles twice last season, allowing four home runs and eight earned runs in 11 1/3 IP. 45 of Cleveland's last 66 home games have gone over the total when they're opposed by a right-handed starter. We mentioned the runs the Indians are putting up at home and we expect more of the same results tonight. I'm recommending a play on the Over between the Orioles & Indians on Friday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Art Aronson
NYY vs TAM
1* Bonus Play UNDER Yanks/Rays
The visitors turn to Masahiro Tanaka (2-0, 3.24 ERA), who would scatter five hits and an earned run over seven innings to beat the A’s 5-1 on Sunday. He also struck out four in the extremely efficient performance, throwing 64 of his 92 pitches for strikes and posting first-pitch K’s on 16 of 28 batters. Note that Tanaka has performed very well in this spot already this year, 1-0 with a tiny 1.69 ERA on the road. The home side counters with Chris Archer (3-5, 5.16), who is coming off an outing to forget in which he gave up six runs off eight hits over just three innings in a 9-4 loss to the Tigers on Sunday. Archer has been struggling with game-to-game consistency, he’ll look to get back on track as he’d previously posted a 3.18 ERA in his other three starts in May. Archer benefits in facing a Yanks line-up which has struggled on the road, also note that he’s been at his best in front of the home town crowd this season by posting a very repsectable 2.35 ERA thus far. Consider a second look at the UNDER in this one.
AAA Sports
NYY vs TAM
1* Bonus Play UNDER Yanks/Rays
The visitors turn to Masahiro Tanaka (2-0, 3.24 ERA), who would scatter five hits and an earned run over seven innings to beat the A’s 5-1 on Sunday. He also struck out four in the extremely efficient performance, throwing 64 of his 92 pitches for strikes and posting first-pitch K’s on 16 of 28 batters. Note that Tanaka has performed very well in this spot already this year, 1-0 with a tiny 1.69 ERA on the road. The home side counters with Chris Archer (3-5, 5.16), who is coming off an outing to forget in which he gave up six runs off eight hits over just three innings in a 9-4 loss to the Tigers on Sunday. Archer has been struggling with game-to-game consistency, he’ll look to get back on track as he’d previously posted a 3.18 ERA in his other three starts in May. Archer benefits in facing a Yanks line-up which has struggled on the road, also note that he’s been at his best in front of the home town crowd this season by posting a very repsectable 2.35 ERA thus far. Consider a second look at the UNDER in this one.
AAA Sports
