MLB Betting Cheat Sheet: Sandovol’s slump has Red Sox in AL East cellar
By Doc Sports
Here’s a comprehensive look at betting notes for this week’s major-league schedule:
Sox in last
The American League East is tied with the National League East as the worst division in baseball (14 games under .500). Blame the Red Sox, at least to some extent. The Sox are 1-6 in their last seven, dropping them to 22-29 overall. New third baseman Pablo Sandoval (.251, 5 HR, 17 RBI) has not gone deep since May 16 and has just one RBI since that date. He does not have a multi-hit game since May 10.
It’s still Miller time
Shelby Miller continues to be outstanding in his first season with the Atlanta Braves. He is 5-2 with a 1.48 ERA and his last eight starts have all been quality. Only his first two were not because he went just five innings (without allowing more than one run). The under is 8-2 in Miller’s 10 starts. He will take the bump again on Tuesday at the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Rocky mountain high
The Colorado Rockies (22-26) are still in the NL West cellar, but their four-game surge is the longest current streak in the bigs. They have won seven of their last eight contests, as well. All three meetings with the Philadelphia Phillies this past weekend went under the total, with the Rockies surrendering four runs in three games.
Pitching Notes
* Minnesota Twins’ closer Glen Perkins has stormed into the major league lead in saves with 19. He recorded 12 alone in May, including eight since May 15. Perkins boasts a 1.88 ERA in 24 innings and he does not have a single blown save. The Twins are 7-1 in their last eight overall.
* The New York Mets have announced that they will activate Dillon Gee from the disabled list and start him on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres. Gee has not pitched since May 5 because of a groin injury. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA through five appearances.
Hitting Notes
* Toronto Blue Jays’ first baseman Josh Donaldson (.312, 15 HR, 39 RBI) is on a six-game hitting streak and has six home runs in those six. Donaldson has hit safely 11 times during the current stretch, including a 4-for-4 performance with two dingers and four RBIs last Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.
* The Phillies have scored 157 runs this season, at least 34 fewer than all other National League teams. Philadelphia has crossed the plate just four times in its last four games (0-4 SU, 0-4 O/U) and it has not scored more than four runs in any contest since May 23. Ryan Howard, Freddy Galvis, and Maikel Franco all hit worse than .150 this past week.
Totals Streak
St. Louis Cardinals (19-21-2 O/U): The under is 4-0 in the Cardinals’ last four overall and 8-1-1 in their last 10 overall. That is in part because they have given up more than four runs only once in their last eight outings. Additionally, in their four losses since May 21 they have scored a total of three runs.
Weather Notes
* There is almost a 100 percent possibility of thunderstorms in D.C. when the Washington Nationals host the Toronto Blue Jays Monday evening.
* Wind will be blowing in from center field at around 15 miles per hour at Fenway Park Monday. The Boston Red Sox open a four-game set versus the Minnesota Twins Monday.
Injury Notes
* Texas Rangers’ third baseman Adrian Beltre will miss at least two weeks after sustaining a sprained thumb on Sunday. Beltre (.257, 6 HR, 18 RBIs) was injured while sliding into second base after delivering two hits and two RBIs during his team’s 4-3 win over Boston.
* Bryce Harper (back) and Denard Span (knee) of the Washington Nationals both played on Sunday despite physical problems. Harper missed the previous game against the Cincinnati Reds but managed to suit back up for the series finale, in which he went 0-for-2 with two walks. Span left in the eighth inning because of persistent soreness and his status is uncertain.
