Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Saturday
TIGERS (Boyd) at ATHLETICS (Hahn) 4:05 PM
Take: TIGERS +115
Matt Boyd is back up from the minors with another opportunity to carve out a spot at the back end of the Detroit rotation. Boyd crapped out in his 2015 maiden voyage with the Blue Jays before getting dealt to Motown. I’m not sure how much upside there is with the lefty, as he doesn’t have powerhouse stuff and he’s probably going to be prone to the long ball with his fly ball tendencies. But is he good enough to chew up innings at the big league level while holding a #4-5 rotation spot? I think Boyd has a chance to succeed at that level.
Boyd has been throwing it well down on the farm, and with Mike Pelfrey and Anibal Sanchez each struggling mightily, this is a big opportunity for the southpaw. Boyd also draws a favorable assignment here, as the beat up A’s are not exactly crushing the ball right now and Oakland has also been a terrible home team this season.
Jesse Hahn draws the starting assignment for the hosts, and he has some alarming numbers. The swing and miss rate is pretty poor, and Hahn’s command in the strike zone hasn’t been very good. What’s interesting is that Hahn is displaying increased velocity in his work to date this season. But there has been a load of contact, and Hahn has been getting hit hard. Granted, 24 innings is a small sample but five homers is a little alarming. Moreover, those shots have all come in his last three outings, following his one good start against Houston.
I’m looking for spots to try to beat Oakland right now. The team has an unfortunate abundance of injuries, they aren’t very good defensively, and the bullpen has not performed well at all recently. I think there’s some value here with Detroit in the underdog role, and I’m going ahead with a play on the Tigers today.
Bonus Play Saturday
TIGERS (Boyd) at ATHLETICS (Hahn) 4:05 PM
Take: TIGERS +115
Matt Boyd is back up from the minors with another opportunity to carve out a spot at the back end of the Detroit rotation. Boyd crapped out in his 2015 maiden voyage with the Blue Jays before getting dealt to Motown. I’m not sure how much upside there is with the lefty, as he doesn’t have powerhouse stuff and he’s probably going to be prone to the long ball with his fly ball tendencies. But is he good enough to chew up innings at the big league level while holding a #4-5 rotation spot? I think Boyd has a chance to succeed at that level.
Boyd has been throwing it well down on the farm, and with Mike Pelfrey and Anibal Sanchez each struggling mightily, this is a big opportunity for the southpaw. Boyd also draws a favorable assignment here, as the beat up A’s are not exactly crushing the ball right now and Oakland has also been a terrible home team this season.
Jesse Hahn draws the starting assignment for the hosts, and he has some alarming numbers. The swing and miss rate is pretty poor, and Hahn’s command in the strike zone hasn’t been very good. What’s interesting is that Hahn is displaying increased velocity in his work to date this season. But there has been a load of contact, and Hahn has been getting hit hard. Granted, 24 innings is a small sample but five homers is a little alarming. Moreover, those shots have all come in his last three outings, following his one good start against Houston.
I’m looking for spots to try to beat Oakland right now. The team has an unfortunate abundance of injuries, they aren’t very good defensively, and the bullpen has not performed well at all recently. I think there’s some value here with Detroit in the underdog role, and I’m going ahead with a play on the Tigers today.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Saturday, May 28, 2016 10:10 PM
Your Bonus Play for Saturday, is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Minnesota Twins and the Seattle Mariners from Safecow. Safeco is a big park, great for pitchers, and a weak Minnesota offense is in town, 27th in baseball in runs scored. Minnesota has won only 4 road games all season and is 12-4 under the total in Saturday games. Phil Hughes is on the mound, walking just 9 in 48+ innings and the Under is 18-7-1 in Hughes' last 26 starts with 5 days of rest. Seattle lefty Wade Miley has walked just 13 in 56 innings and is throwing better of late. The Under is 12-5 in Mariners last 17 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400. And the Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Seattle.
Play Minnesota/Seattle Under the total.
Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Saturday, May 28, 2016 10:10 PM
Your Bonus Play for Saturday, is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Minnesota Twins and the Seattle Mariners from Safecow. Safeco is a big park, great for pitchers, and a weak Minnesota offense is in town, 27th in baseball in runs scored. Minnesota has won only 4 road games all season and is 12-4 under the total in Saturday games. Phil Hughes is on the mound, walking just 9 in 48+ innings and the Under is 18-7-1 in Hughes' last 26 starts with 5 days of rest. Seattle lefty Wade Miley has walked just 13 in 56 innings and is throwing better of late. The Under is 12-5 in Mariners last 17 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400. And the Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Seattle.
Play Minnesota/Seattle Under the total.
Jimmy Boyd
Reds vs Brewers
Free Pick on Brewers -
I'll take Milwaukee in Saturday's home showdown against the Reds. Cincinnati is one of the worst teams in the league and come into this game having lost 11 straight. Milwaukee isn't a playoff contender, but have won 4 straight.
I have a hard time seeing the Brewers not winning given the edge they will have on the mound. Milwaukee will send out Afredo Simon, who is 1-5 with a 9.68 ERA and 2.094 WHIP in 8 starts. The Brewers have won just 1 of his 8 starts and are 0-3 in his 3 starts on the round. Milwaukee will counter with Chase Anderson. His overall numbers aren't great, but he's pitched well of late, posting a 3.66 ERA and 0.712 WHIP in his last 3 starts. Last time he took the mound at home, he pitched 8 2/3 innings, allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits. He's only given up a mere 10 hits in his last 19 2/3 innings of work.
Reds are 3-16 in his last 19 as a underdog of +125 to +175 and 3-18 in their last 21 on the road. Brewers are 13-4 in their last 17 against a bad team that's lost more than 40% of their games. Take Milwaukee!
Reds vs Brewers
Free Pick on Brewers -
I'll take Milwaukee in Saturday's home showdown against the Reds. Cincinnati is one of the worst teams in the league and come into this game having lost 11 straight. Milwaukee isn't a playoff contender, but have won 4 straight.
I have a hard time seeing the Brewers not winning given the edge they will have on the mound. Milwaukee will send out Afredo Simon, who is 1-5 with a 9.68 ERA and 2.094 WHIP in 8 starts. The Brewers have won just 1 of his 8 starts and are 0-3 in his 3 starts on the round. Milwaukee will counter with Chase Anderson. His overall numbers aren't great, but he's pitched well of late, posting a 3.66 ERA and 0.712 WHIP in his last 3 starts. Last time he took the mound at home, he pitched 8 2/3 innings, allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits. He's only given up a mere 10 hits in his last 19 2/3 innings of work.
Reds are 3-16 in his last 19 as a underdog of +125 to +175 and 3-18 in their last 21 on the road. Brewers are 13-4 in their last 17 against a bad team that's lost more than 40% of their games. Take Milwaukee!
Mike Lundin
Orioles vs Indians
8* MLB Free Pick Cleveland Indians
This looks like a good spot to back the Cleveland Indians as they look to revenge Friday's 6-4 loss against the Baltimore Orioles. The Tribe are 25-12 in their last 37 games following a loss and send Danny Salazar to the mound Saturday afternoon.
Salazar (4-3, 2.32) was tagged with four runs in 4 1/3 innings at Boston his last time out, but he's been outstanding home at Progressive Field this year with a 1.23 ERA in three starts. The right-hander has posted a 2.25 ERA in two career meetings with Baltimore and yielded just one run and struck out 10 to pick up the win in his last encounter with the Birds.
Baltimore turns to Ubaldo Jimenez (2-5, 6.04 ERA) who is 1-5 with a 6.80 ERA in eight starts since beating Minnesota on April 7. Jimenez is 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA in three road starts on the season and yielded six runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings at LAA his last start. He is 1-2 in four career starts against Cleveland with an ERA of 5.06 and a WHIP of 1.547.
Juan Uribe 5-for-15 with a pair of doubles in previous meetings with Jimenez.
Orioles vs Indians
8* MLB Free Pick Cleveland Indians
This looks like a good spot to back the Cleveland Indians as they look to revenge Friday's 6-4 loss against the Baltimore Orioles. The Tribe are 25-12 in their last 37 games following a loss and send Danny Salazar to the mound Saturday afternoon.
Salazar (4-3, 2.32) was tagged with four runs in 4 1/3 innings at Boston his last time out, but he's been outstanding home at Progressive Field this year with a 1.23 ERA in three starts. The right-hander has posted a 2.25 ERA in two career meetings with Baltimore and yielded just one run and struck out 10 to pick up the win in his last encounter with the Birds.
Baltimore turns to Ubaldo Jimenez (2-5, 6.04 ERA) who is 1-5 with a 6.80 ERA in eight starts since beating Minnesota on April 7. Jimenez is 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA in three road starts on the season and yielded six runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings at LAA his last start. He is 1-2 in four career starts against Cleveland with an ERA of 5.06 and a WHIP of 1.547.
Juan Uribe 5-for-15 with a pair of doubles in previous meetings with Jimenez.
Brandon Lee
Astros vs Angels
10* MLB FREE PICK (Angels +120)
Los Angeles is worth a look at home Saturday night against the Astros. Houston is going to send out their ace on paper in Dallas Keuchel, but he's been anything but an ace in 2016. Keuchel has a 5.92 ERA and 1.588 WHIP in 10 starts. Last time out he was tagged for 7 runs on 9 hits in 6 innings of a 2-9 loss at home to Texas. I'll take my chances with LA at home in this one. Angels will counter with Jered Weaver, who has been on more than he's been off. Weaver has a 5.33 ERA due to two really bad starts where he gave up 15 runs. He's allowed 4 or less in each of his 7 other starts, giving up 3 or less in 5. Houston is also not a good road team. They are just 7-15 away from home going into Friday's action. Give me the Angels +120!
Astros vs Angels
10* MLB FREE PICK (Angels +120)
Los Angeles is worth a look at home Saturday night against the Astros. Houston is going to send out their ace on paper in Dallas Keuchel, but he's been anything but an ace in 2016. Keuchel has a 5.92 ERA and 1.588 WHIP in 10 starts. Last time out he was tagged for 7 runs on 9 hits in 6 innings of a 2-9 loss at home to Texas. I'll take my chances with LA at home in this one. Angels will counter with Jered Weaver, who has been on more than he's been off. Weaver has a 5.33 ERA due to two really bad starts where he gave up 15 runs. He's allowed 4 or less in each of his 7 other starts, giving up 3 or less in 5. Houston is also not a good road team. They are just 7-15 away from home going into Friday's action. Give me the Angels +120!
Ray Monohan
Twins vs Mariners
Saturday 5* MLB FREE RL Play Seattle Mariners -1.5
Felix "The King" Hernandez had a VERY rare OFFNIGHT on Friday night. We don't expect this trend to continue Saturday for the M's. The Mariners and Twins continue their series on Saturday and Seattle holds solid value giving the run line here. Seattle has been red hot and this is their chance to create some separation in the AL West with a weaker schedule coming up.
The Twins have struggled all season long, especially on the road, which makes this bet even nicer. Seattle sends out Wade Miley here. Miley has really figured things out, winning his last 5 decisions and is pitching like the Mariners hoped he would when they acquired him this offseason. He's got his secondary pitches working very well, which helps keep hitters off balanced.
The Twins go with Phil Hughes, who has been a mess. With a 1-7 record, Hughes has continued to give up runs in bunches this year when he takes the mound.
Some trends to consider. Given the pitching edge here, along with the Twins struggles on the road, the Mariners hold great value here giving the 1.5.
Back Seattle RL.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
Twins vs Mariners
Saturday 5* MLB FREE RL Play Seattle Mariners -1.5
Felix "The King" Hernandez had a VERY rare OFFNIGHT on Friday night. We don't expect this trend to continue Saturday for the M's. The Mariners and Twins continue their series on Saturday and Seattle holds solid value giving the run line here. Seattle has been red hot and this is their chance to create some separation in the AL West with a weaker schedule coming up.
The Twins have struggled all season long, especially on the road, which makes this bet even nicer. Seattle sends out Wade Miley here. Miley has really figured things out, winning his last 5 decisions and is pitching like the Mariners hoped he would when they acquired him this offseason. He's got his secondary pitches working very well, which helps keep hitters off balanced.
The Twins go with Phil Hughes, who has been a mess. With a 1-7 record, Hughes has continued to give up runs in bunches this year when he takes the mound.
Some trends to consider. Given the pitching edge here, along with the Twins struggles on the road, the Mariners hold great value here giving the 1.5.
Back Seattle RL.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
Matt Josephs
SDG vs ARI
Bonus Play UNDER 8.5
Cesar Vargas continues to look for his first win for the Padres. He's 0-2 with a 3.34 ERA in six starts for the Pads. He has 27 strikeouts to go with 13 walks in just over 32 innings. Arizona has never faced the rookie which should help for some early struggles. Their offense has put up good numbers this season, but they are still struggling for consistency. Zack Greinke has allowed eight runs and 18 hits in his last three starts entering Saturday. Greinke is 6-1 with a 1.64 ERA and a WHIP of 0.807 in 13 career starts against San Diego with 11 of them going under the total. The righty held them to two runs and six hits in just over seven innings in April. San Diego is hitting .217 against right-handed starters going under in 21 of 35 games against them. Entering Friday night they were hitting .179 over their last seven games. These two teams should struggle to score on Saturday.
SDG vs ARI
Bonus Play UNDER 8.5
Cesar Vargas continues to look for his first win for the Padres. He's 0-2 with a 3.34 ERA in six starts for the Pads. He has 27 strikeouts to go with 13 walks in just over 32 innings. Arizona has never faced the rookie which should help for some early struggles. Their offense has put up good numbers this season, but they are still struggling for consistency. Zack Greinke has allowed eight runs and 18 hits in his last three starts entering Saturday. Greinke is 6-1 with a 1.64 ERA and a WHIP of 0.807 in 13 career starts against San Diego with 11 of them going under the total. The righty held them to two runs and six hits in just over seven innings in April. San Diego is hitting .217 against right-handed starters going under in 21 of 35 games against them. Entering Friday night they were hitting .179 over their last seven games. These two teams should struggle to score on Saturday.
Art Aronson
LAD vs NYM
This is a 1* Bonus Play on the UNDER Dodgers/Mets
The Dodgers turn to Kenta Maeda (3-3, 3.29 ERA), who comes in off an outing to forget after allowing four runs with five K’s with one walk over five innings in a no-decision vs. the Padres on Sunday. Maeda has struggled with consistency after a great start to the 2016 campaign, but he’s been solid on the road this season, 2-0 with a tiny 2.31 ERA thus far. The home side counters with Noah Syndergaard (5-2, 1.94) who gave up one unearned run off six hits and no walks while striking out 11 over seven innings in a dominant victory over the Brewers on Sunday. Syndergaard became the second Metropolitan and first since Dwight Gooden to throw back-to-back outings of 10 K’s and zero walks. Not surprisingly, Syndergaard has been dominant at home this year, going 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA to date. With these two competent starters going head-to-head, the UNDER does indeed become a legitimate investment opportunity.
AAA Sports
LAD vs NYM
This is a 1* Bonus Play on the UNDER Dodgers/Mets
The Dodgers turn to Kenta Maeda (3-3, 3.29 ERA), who comes in off an outing to forget after allowing four runs with five K’s with one walk over five innings in a no-decision vs. the Padres on Sunday. Maeda has struggled with consistency after a great start to the 2016 campaign, but he’s been solid on the road this season, 2-0 with a tiny 2.31 ERA thus far. The home side counters with Noah Syndergaard (5-2, 1.94) who gave up one unearned run off six hits and no walks while striking out 11 over seven innings in a dominant victory over the Brewers on Sunday. Syndergaard became the second Metropolitan and first since Dwight Gooden to throw back-to-back outings of 10 K’s and zero walks. Not surprisingly, Syndergaard has been dominant at home this year, going 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA to date. With these two competent starters going head-to-head, the UNDER does indeed become a legitimate investment opportunity.
AAA Sports
Marc Lawrence
Orioles vs Indians
Play - Cleveland Indians w/Salazar vs Jimenez
Edges: Indians: Danny Salazar 6-1 last seven overall home team starts, and 5-1 home career team starts during May. Orioles: Ubaldo Jimenez 0-2 with 6.78 ERA career team starts as a visitor in this park; and 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP away this season, and 4-10 last fourteen away team starts during May. With Jimenez in terrible KW form with 11 BB’s and 9 K’s in his last three starts, and Salazar sporting a 2.25 career ERA in this series, we recommend a 1* play on Cleveland. Thank you and good luck as always.
Orioles vs Indians
Play - Cleveland Indians w/Salazar vs Jimenez
Edges: Indians: Danny Salazar 6-1 last seven overall home team starts, and 5-1 home career team starts during May. Orioles: Ubaldo Jimenez 0-2 with 6.78 ERA career team starts as a visitor in this park; and 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP away this season, and 4-10 last fourteen away team starts during May. With Jimenez in terrible KW form with 11 BB’s and 9 K’s in his last three starts, and Salazar sporting a 2.25 career ERA in this series, we recommend a 1* play on Cleveland. Thank you and good luck as always.
