Kevin's Pick(s):
Another winner in that Blue Jays and Athletics series yesterday taking the UNDER for a second straight night and cashing it with a 4-2 final score. I've got a 5 unit play going tonight...
5 UNIT = Toronto Blue Jays @ Los Angeles Angels - ANGELS -1.5 (+120)
Listed Pitchers: Happ vs Weaver
(Note: I'm risking 5.00 units to win 6.00 units)
The Blue Jays were swept in Oakland in a four game series, scoring just 4 runs over the 4 games. They've lost 7 of their last 9 games overall and I expect the struggles to continue given their current injuries and struggles some of their hitters are going through. Tonight they face Angels Ace Jered Weaver who has a career 3.48 ERA, .224 OBA and 1.08 WHIP and 9-2 record vs the Blue Jays. He went 6.1 innings giving up just 1 earned run vs Toronto earlier this season. Weaver is 9-6 on the season with a 3.56 ERA, and he is 5-3 with a 2.75 ERA, .208 OBA and 1.06 WHIP at home. J.A. Happ will be on the mound for the Jays and he is 4-1 on the road despite a poor 5.14 ERA, .296 OBA and 1.68 WHIP. Those numbers won't hold up against the Angels who are red hot right now leading the Majors in July with a team .899 OPS and .389 OBP (in comparison the Jays are .643 and .276 in July). Happ lasted just 4.1 innings earlier this season in a loss vs Los Angeles. Take note that the Blue Jays are 0-7 in their last 7 as an underdog and 0-6 in their last 6 road games. The Angels are 20-8 in their last 28 games overall, 13-3 in their last 16 home games vs a left handed starter, 59-29 in Weaver's last 88 starts overall and 39-13 in his last 52 home starts. Also take note that the Angels are 6-1 in their last 7 vs Toronto and 7-1 in Weaver's last 8 starts vs the Jays. I'll take the red hot Angels by a pair or more tonight vs the struggling Blue Jays for 5 units at +120.
Kyle's Pick(s)
2 UNIT = Pittsburgh Pirates @ St. Louis Cardinals - CARDINALS -1.5 (+129)
Listed Pitchers: Morton vs. Wainwright
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 2.58 units)
Nothing jumped out to me yesterday so decided to take a pass. Some days a no play is the best play on the board. However, we cashed in on a crazy game on Saturday where the Mariners won it 3-2 in the 14th. Let's keep the winning streak going into this week.
If there is one pitchers name that can be mentioned in the same breath as Clayton Kershaw and Felix Hernandez at the moment is Adam Wainwright. He has been leaving hitters lost at the plate improving his ERA to 1.89. That number could be even better if he didn't get hit hard on two occasions, the only time this season he's been solved, 6 runs against the Giants and 7 allowed against the Giants. Since the 7 runs given up against the Giants, Wainwright has surrendered just 4 runs in five games. Note that his ERA in his past three starts is a minuscule 0.74. Combined with a 0.76 WHIP and .218 OBP for good measure. Pretty well a reflection of his overall WHIP and OBP of 0.90 and .239. Pirates' hurler, Charlie Morton, will try and do his best to keep up with Wainwright, which isn't an easy task for any pitcher. Morton hasn't been all that bad in 2014 with a 3.30 ERA, but he leaves a lot to be desired when on the road. His ERA rises to 4.37 and only has a 2-6 record. Furthermore, his 1.28 WHIP and .322 OBP could be better. This is an important series for both teams in the NL Central. The Pirates are coming off a long home stand after ten straight at home in Pittsburgh. The Buccos are just 18-21 away, whereas, the Cardinals are 24-19 at home. Pittsburgh has had problems playing in St. Louis, 2-8 in their last ten trips there. Also, it's been a house of horrors for Morton who is 0-9 pitching in St. Louis. All things considered, -1.5 at +129 behind Wainwright looks like like a pretty solid bet for Monday night.