MLB betting cheat sheet: Strasburg Automatic as a Big Fave
Here’s a comprehensive look at betting notes for the weekend’s major-league games:
O’s Reach Value Plateau
The Baltimore Orioles have been far and away the most valuable bet in baseball, reaching the $3,000 mark in total season value with Thursday’s 9-7 triumph over the visiting Cincinnati Reds. It’s the second time in three seasons that Baltimore has surpassed $3,000 in total value, having gone +$3,683 in 2012.
Strasburg Automatic as a .Big Fave
Washington ace Stephen Strasburg is a -225 favorite Friday night as the Nationals entertain the Philadelphia Phillies. The hard-throwing right-hander is 3-0 as a fave of -200 or better this season, allowing just three runs over 22 1/3 innings in those three starts.
Mets Remain Pushy
The New York Mets continue to be the league’s strongest push bet entering Saturday’s encounter with the host Cincinnati Reds. Following Wednesday’s 4-3 win over Miami, the Mets lead the majors with 16 pushes – one shy of Miami’s league-high total from a season ago.
Hammel on the Rebound?
Oakland right-hander Jason Hammel looks to continue his late-season rebound Sunday as the Athletics face off against the visiting Houston Astros. Hammel has allowed just two runs in his last two starts, but the A’s are just 2-7 SU and -$769 units in Hammel’s nine starts since being acquired from the Cubs.
Pitching Notes
* Left-hander Chris Sale will look to avoid a fourth straight Over as he leads the Chicago White Sox (-135, 7) into Friday’s encounter with the host Cleveland Indians. Sale has only had four straight Overs once in his career as a starter – and never within a single season.
* Righty Phil Hughes looks to take over top spot in the pitcher value chase Saturday as the Minnesota Twins entertain the Los Angeles Angels. Hughes has racked up $1,216 in value so far this season, second only to Baltimore Orioles ace Chris Tillman ($1,320).
* Washington lefty Gio Gonzalez can only hope for a little more luck Sunday as he faces fellow southpaw Cole Hamels and the Phillies. Gonzalez has allowed three runs or fewer in eight of his previous 10 starts, but has just one victory to show for it.
Hitting Notes
* Veteran slugger Adam Dunn has settled in nicely with the Athletics entering Friday’s showdown with the Astros (+188, 7.5). Dunn has two home runs and four RBIs in three games since being acquired by Oakland in a trade with the Chicago White Sox.
* Shortstop Alexei Ramirez could be in for a long Saturday as he and the White Sox visit Corey Kluber and the Cleveland Indians. Ramirez has just four hits, including a pair of doubles, and one RBI in 24 career at-bats versus Kluber, who ranks third in the majors with 215 strikeouts.
* Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez seems to have St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright figured out as the two meet again Sunday at Miller Park. Ramirez is batting .415 with three home runs in 53 at-bats against Wainwright.
Totals Streak
San Diego Padres (2-7 O/U): The Padres’ entire season could be interpreted as a totals streak, with the offensively anemic club threatening to record 100 unders in a season; the 2003 Dodgers (54-98-10) are the closest to reach that mark in the previous 11 years. San Diego is 49-85-5 for the year.
Prop of the Day
Bettors are getting +160 on the Nationals -2.5 – a sound wager with Strasburg on the hill. Washington has won five of Strasburg’s last five starts, with four of those victories coming by three or more runs.
Injury Notes
* Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez is available to pinch-hit but is still not ready to return to regular action after suffering a left foot sprain. The Pirates have scuffled without the veteran slugger, going 3-4 SU, 2-5 O/U and -133 units during his absence.
* Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton left Thursday’s game against Minnesota with a sore right shoulder. Hamilton has missed a whopping 49 games this season, during which the Angels have gone 28-21 SU, 24-23-2 O/U and +466 units.
Weather Watch
* Wind at Progressive Field will blow out to right field at 12 mph for Friday’s tilt between the host Indians and the White Sox. Teams combined to score 7.78 runs over nine games under similar conditions in 2013 – well below the stadium average of 8.33.
* Fans at Comerica Park will see wind blowing out to right-center field at 7 mph for Saturday’s showdown between the host Tigers and the San Francisco Giants. The Tigers were a perfect 9-0 last season with the wind blowing out to either center or right-center field.
Umpire Note of the Day
The road team is 5-0 in umpire Paul Nauert’s last five games calling balls and strikes involving Texas. Nauert will be behind home plate Friday night when the Rangers (+166, 8) host the Texas Rangers.
** Odds, stats, weather forecasts and probable pitchers. as of 11:30 a.m. ET Friday.
