Dave Cokin
Monday Bonus Play 7:05 PM
MLB (911) NEW YORK YANKEES (912) TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Take: (912) TORONTO BLUE JAYS -112
If you’ve followed my analysis over the years, you already know I’m fond of playing on rookie pitchers in their first journeys around the loop. Two key reasons stand out here. One is the hitters being unfamiliar with these guys, and initially at least, that’s frequently an advantage for the pitchers. Secondly, the betting lines can often be favorable to these unknown commodities. Maybe not so much if it’s a big name rookie, but when it’s a secondary guy, I think there’s value to be had backing them.
The second time around is often not so kind to the first year hurlers. Now the hitters have a book and it’s here when we start to find out if the rookie sensations have any staying power. That brings me to Chase Whitley, who will throw for the Yankees tonight as they open a series in Toronto with the Blue Jays.
Whitley has been more than a pleasant surprise for the Yankees. He is not a high end prospect, and had basically been an anonymous relief pitcher in the organization till this spring. Not anymore! Whitley has raised lots of eyebrows in his maiden big league voyage, and for the time being at least, he’s establishing himself as a fixture in this year’s Yanks rotation. Whitley has been handled very well, as manager Joe Girardi has kept him on a short leash. But there can’t be any question that Whitley has been an unexpected asset for a team that in spite of some obvious shortcomings, is very much in the AL playoff chase.
Tonight could be a different story for Whitley. The Blue Jays are facing him for the second time in succession and I’m not going to be surprised if they knock the kid around some this evening. Those veteran Jays hitters are going to adjust off what they just saw. Countering doesn’t figure to be easy for the still raw rookie.
Marcus Stroman is another rookie, albeit the Blue Jays kid has a much more public pedigree than Whitley and he looks to have a pretty high ceiling as well. Stroman struggled in his first test with the Yankees, as he had trouble with his command throughout what turned out to be a rather short stint. Prior to that poor performance, Stroman had looked very good in three straight starts, in spite of being unlucky with a bloated BABIP.
As for the rest, the Yankees are off two pretty ugly offensive games against the Orioles, and it wasn’t like those came against Adam Wainwright and Andrew Cashner (you knew I’d find a way to slip that in here someplace, right?). The Blue Jays will likely be minus Jose Bautista tonight from what I can gather and I’d check the status of Adam Lind before getting involved. But I believe this number is a little on the short side and I’m leaning toward the idea of teams catching up to Whitley the second time around. I’ll go Blue Jays as the comp play tonight.
Monday Bonus Play 7:05 PM
MLB (911) NEW YORK YANKEES (912) TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Take: (912) TORONTO BLUE JAYS -112
If you’ve followed my analysis over the years, you already know I’m fond of playing on rookie pitchers in their first journeys around the loop. Two key reasons stand out here. One is the hitters being unfamiliar with these guys, and initially at least, that’s frequently an advantage for the pitchers. Secondly, the betting lines can often be favorable to these unknown commodities. Maybe not so much if it’s a big name rookie, but when it’s a secondary guy, I think there’s value to be had backing them.
The second time around is often not so kind to the first year hurlers. Now the hitters have a book and it’s here when we start to find out if the rookie sensations have any staying power. That brings me to Chase Whitley, who will throw for the Yankees tonight as they open a series in Toronto with the Blue Jays.
Whitley has been more than a pleasant surprise for the Yankees. He is not a high end prospect, and had basically been an anonymous relief pitcher in the organization till this spring. Not anymore! Whitley has raised lots of eyebrows in his maiden big league voyage, and for the time being at least, he’s establishing himself as a fixture in this year’s Yanks rotation. Whitley has been handled very well, as manager Joe Girardi has kept him on a short leash. But there can’t be any question that Whitley has been an unexpected asset for a team that in spite of some obvious shortcomings, is very much in the AL playoff chase.
Tonight could be a different story for Whitley. The Blue Jays are facing him for the second time in succession and I’m not going to be surprised if they knock the kid around some this evening. Those veteran Jays hitters are going to adjust off what they just saw. Countering doesn’t figure to be easy for the still raw rookie.
Marcus Stroman is another rookie, albeit the Blue Jays kid has a much more public pedigree than Whitley and he looks to have a pretty high ceiling as well. Stroman struggled in his first test with the Yankees, as he had trouble with his command throughout what turned out to be a rather short stint. Prior to that poor performance, Stroman had looked very good in three straight starts, in spite of being unlucky with a bloated BABIP.
As for the rest, the Yankees are off two pretty ugly offensive games against the Orioles, and it wasn’t like those came against Adam Wainwright and Andrew Cashner (you knew I’d find a way to slip that in here someplace, right?). The Blue Jays will likely be minus Jose Bautista tonight from what I can gather and I’d check the status of Adam Lind before getting involved. But I believe this number is a little on the short side and I’m leaning toward the idea of teams catching up to Whitley the second time around. I’ll go Blue Jays as the comp play tonight.
Jim Feist
MLB Comp Pick for Monday June 23, 2014: 8:10 PM ET
MLB (905) WASHINGTON NATIONALS VS (906) MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Take: (906) MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Reason: Two division leaders clash here on Monday as the NL Central leading Brewers host the NL East leading Nationals. Milwaukee has the best record in the National League and is coming off a 7-3 run. The Nats have won two straight after Sunday's 4-1 win over the Braves. Still, Washington is just 4-6 their last 10 games. Gio Gonzalez starts today for the Nats and is having a sub-par year for him with a 3-4 record and 4.85 ERA. Gonzales is 0-3 in his last four starts and most disturbing are the 17 earned runs over 18 2/3 innings. Matt Garza will toe the rubber for the Brew-Crew. Garza is 4-4 with a 4.02 ERA this season. Despite the Brewers losing in the last two starts for Garza, the 30-year old veteran has quality starts in each of his last nine outings - allowing four runs or fewer in each. Garza also saw his ERA drop nearly one full point in his last 10 starts. Still, the Brewers are the hotter team with a pitcher having more quality starts under his belt. Take the Brewers as your Bonus Play here on Monday.
MLB Comp Pick for Monday June 23, 2014: 8:10 PM ET
MLB (905) WASHINGTON NATIONALS VS (906) MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Take: (906) MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Reason: Two division leaders clash here on Monday as the NL Central leading Brewers host the NL East leading Nationals. Milwaukee has the best record in the National League and is coming off a 7-3 run. The Nats have won two straight after Sunday's 4-1 win over the Braves. Still, Washington is just 4-6 their last 10 games. Gio Gonzalez starts today for the Nats and is having a sub-par year for him with a 3-4 record and 4.85 ERA. Gonzales is 0-3 in his last four starts and most disturbing are the 17 earned runs over 18 2/3 innings. Matt Garza will toe the rubber for the Brew-Crew. Garza is 4-4 with a 4.02 ERA this season. Despite the Brewers losing in the last two starts for Garza, the 30-year old veteran has quality starts in each of his last nine outings - allowing four runs or fewer in each. Garza also saw his ERA drop nearly one full point in his last 10 starts. Still, the Brewers are the hotter team with a pitcher having more quality starts under his belt. Take the Brewers as your Bonus Play here on Monday.
| MLB | Jun 23, 2014 Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners | Seattle Mariners -144 at PINNACLE | in 12h |
| This is a 1* Bonus Play on the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners are worth the price of admission in this matchup with their best player on the mound. The Red Sox, who come off an extra innings win over Oakland last night, will start John Lackey (8-4, 2.96 ERA); Lackey is 15-10 with a 3.61 ERA lifetime against Seattle. Lackey has pitched well of late with three wins in his last three starts. The Mariners counter with Felix Hernandez (8-2, 2.22 ERA), who has allowed just a single run in each, while totaling 25 innings in winning two of his last three home starts overall; Hernandez has a 2.35 ERA during a three-start win streak against Boston at Safeco Field as well (Hernandez is 7-2 lifetime with a 3.00 ERA against the Red Sox). Looking for a fourth straight win overall and at home, the Mariners swept a three-game road set from a Kansas City team that began that series atop the AL Central. The Mariners have scored 18 runs with their ace on the mound while he's gone 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in his last three starts versus Boston. The Mariners have not given Hernandez a lot of run support of late, but I think that odd trend ends tonight with the high profile Red Sox in town for a series. Consider backing “The King” in this spot. AAA Sports |
| Soccer | Jun 23, 2014 Australia vs. Spain | Australia +734 at PINNACLE | in 2h |
| Australia +734 Spain is 0-2 and won't be advancing to the knockout rounds. They face an underdog Australian team that is led by Tim Cahill, who has produced some nice goals. Spain may not be into this game 100% and there is a chance that the Aussies can score a goal or two and win. Value play on Australia at +734. Free pick on Australia +734 |
| MLB | Jun 23, 2014 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Kansas City Royals | Los Angeles Dodgers -135 at BOVADA | in 10h |
| I'm recommending a play on the Dodgers on Monday. Zack Greinke returns to "The K" to start against his original Major League club, the Kansas City Royals. Not only is Greinke taking care of business again, posting a 2.57 ERA & 1.16 WHIP in 15 starts, but he has held 14 of his 15 opponents to less than 4 runs, allowing 2 runs or less in 12 of his starts. He'll face a Royals' team that's on a 4-game losing streak after winning 10 in a row and briefly taking over the top spot in the AL Central. The Royal bats have hit the skids, scoring a grand total of 9 runs in their last five games. It's not easy "getting healthy" against Greinke. Jeremy Guthrie goes for the home team and he's pitched pretty well this season, but he's in a bad spot. He's going to need a few runs of support and it's not likely to happen, especially against Greinke. The Dodgers have won seven straight IL road games and I expect another win tonight. Besides the IL road winning streak, the Dodgers are 26-11 in Greinke's last 37 starts, while the Royals have won just 3 of their last 17 home games against teams winning more than 60% of their road games. I'm recommending a play on the Dodgers on Monday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer. Scott Spreitzer CRUSHED the weekend numbers, including yesterday's WC GOY winner and his MLB Pitching Mismatch GOM win! Kick off the week with a coveted MLB MONDAY NIGHT KNOCKOUT! Scott's on a 30-19 all-sports, all-plays run! |
| MLB | Jun 23, 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Tampa Bay Rays | Tampa Bay Rays -147 at BETONLINE | in 9h |
| 1* Bonus Play Tampa Bay Rays. Recent performance plays a part in my handicapping repertoire and in this case, the Rays’ Alex Cobb comes in with considerable momentum. Pittsburgh sends the struggling Edinson Volquez (4-6, 4.67 ERA) to the hill; Volquez was shelled in a loss to the Reds on Wednesday, giving up eight earned runs off six hits and three walks over just 2 1/3’s innings of work. Note that Volquez has been particularly shaky on the road this year, a sub-par 1-2 with a pedestrian 5.08 ERA. The home side counters with Alex Cobb (2-5, 3.48 ERA) whose record is not entirely indicative of his overall play. While he suffered the loss in his last start, Cobb gave up only a single unearned run over seven innings while striking out six vs. the Orioles on Wednesday (it was in fact second baseman Ben Zobrist’s misplayed grounder in the fifth which led to the only run allowed). It was Cobb’s second straight strong outing. In my opinion, Cobb gets the nod in this matchup; I think the Rays are worth a second look in this situation. Good luck, Nick Parsons |
| MLB | Jun 23, 2014 Washington Nationals vs. Milwaukee Brewers | Milwaukee Brewers -121 at BETONLINE | in 10h |
| Monday MLB Bonus Play from Doc’s Sports Take #906 Milwaukee Brewers over Washington Nationals (Monday, 8:10pm EST) The surprise team in the National League goes up against a team that is still trying to find it’s rhythm this season. The Milwaukee Brewers have really impressed me with how long they’ve been able to maintain their lead in the NL Central. At 46-30, the Brewers currently have the best record in the league and they’re not slowing down. With Milwaukee, it’s really a balanced team effort. They have an above average offense, starting rotation and bullpen, but none of those units are extraordinary. They also play great defense and are fundamentally sound all around. The Washington Nationals were picked by many to represent the NL in the World Series this year, but they’ve yet to find their way. Luckily for them, nobody in the NL East has made much of a run so they’re leading the way. Injuries have played a huge role in Washington’s slow start, and they still are a problem. Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos are still on the disabled list and this is just a mediocre team without them. I normally would give the Nats the edge between today’s starters, but I’m not sure Gio Gonzalez is 100% right now. He just came back from a shoulder injury and he didn’t look particularly sharp in his first start back. Matt Garza isn’t having a banner year, but he always keeps his team in the game. Doc's Sports has their first big play of the 2014 World Cup on Monday, jump on board this selection now! |
| MLB | Jun 23, 2014 Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners | Total 6½ un-125 at PINNACLE | in 12h |
| Marc Lyle's Bonus Play of the day is on the Under between Boston and Seattle. Both of these teams have been under machines as of late. With King Felix and John Lackey on the mound today I do not see that changing. In their last 3 games Lackey has a 1.90 ERA and Felix has a staggering 0.81. The way these two guys are pitching and both clubs are hitting this should be a 2-1 type game. Marc Lyle is 8-2 in his last 10 MLB match-ups. |
