MLB betting cheat sheet: Red Sox face big total Monday
Tim Tames Padres
Something about the San Diego Padres brings out the best in Tim Lincecum, who limited them to one run over 6 1/3 innings as San Francisco (+126) prevailed 5-3 Sunday afternoon. Lincecum is 5-0 in his last five starts versus the Padres - a stretch that includes a pair of no-hitters.
Big Total in Beantown
The Boston Red Sox (-180, 10) stare down their largest total of the season Monday as they host the Chicago White Sox. Boston has been one of the most reliable under bets on the season, going 34-51-3 O/U - including a 16-29-0 mark at Fenway Park.
Tanaka Turnaround?
New York Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka looks to bounce back Tuesday as he faces off against the Cleveland Indians. Tanaka allowed four runs over seven innings in a victory over Minnesota last time out, snapping his streak of consecutive quality starts to begin his major-league career at 16.
Pitching Notes
* Kansas City right-hander James Shields looks to halt a three-game losing skid against the moneyline as he takes on the host Tampa Bay Rays (-122, 7) in a Monday night tilt. Shields has been a strong Over play of late, going 8-1 O/U in his previous nine starts - including 5-0 in his last five road outings.
* The Los Angeles Dodgers sent road warrior Hyun-jin Ryu to the hill Tuesday in an interleague encounter in Detroit. Ryu has been one of the most dependable road pitchers in baseball to date, going 6-1 with a 1.62 ERA and a 1-6 O/U record in seven starts away from Dodger Stadium.
Hitting Notes
* Houston Astros rookie outfielder George Springer has had an up-and-down start to his major-league career, racking up 17 homers in 268 at-bats but also striking out a whopping 105 times. Houston is 11-5 SU and 9-7 O/U when Springer goes deep entering Monday's game in Texas (-130, 9.5).
* Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is on a tear, recording four multi-hit games in his last five outings to bump his average to .324 - good for fourth in the NL. The Pirates, who are 19-11 SU when McCutchen has more than one hit, visit St. Louis on Tuesday night.
Totals Streak
Toronto Blue Jays (1-7 O/U): The Blue Jays offense continues to sag - scoring just four runs in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Oakland Athletics - and could struggle further with the loss of slugger Edwin Encarnacion to a quad injury. Toronto is now 42-45-3 O/U for the year.
Prop of the Day
The Angels may represent the strongest blowout play of the day at +475 to win by five or more runs. The Toronto offense hasn't done much of anything so far on its West Coast swing, and now faces the daunting task of matching up against a Los Angeles team that has won 19 of its last 21 home games.
Injury Notes
* Tampa Bay hurler Jeremy Hellickson will finally make his 2014 debut Tuesday after completing his recovery from elbow surgery. Hellickson went 12-10 with a 5.17 ERA in 32 appearances last season, with the Rays going 18-14 SU and 16-14-2 O/U in those outings.
* Toronto first baseman Edwin Encarnacion is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a strained quadriceps suffered over the weekend in Oakland. The Blue Jays are 14-6 SU and 14-6 O/U in games in which Encarnacion hits a home run.
Weather Watch
* Fenway Park faithful should expect wind blowing out to center field at 13 mph for Monday's game between the Red Sox and White Sox. Boston went 4-2 SU and 1-5 O/U in six games under similar conditions in 2013, while teams combined to average 8.5 runs - slightly below the stadium average.
* Citi Field will see wind blowing out to right field at 11 mph for Tuesday's showdown between the host New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Teams averaged just 6.46 runs while battting .220 in 15 games with the wind blowing out to right last season - well below stadium averages.
Tim Tames Padres
Something about the San Diego Padres brings out the best in Tim Lincecum, who limited them to one run over 6 1/3 innings as San Francisco (+126) prevailed 5-3 Sunday afternoon. Lincecum is 5-0 in his last five starts versus the Padres - a stretch that includes a pair of no-hitters.
Big Total in Beantown
The Boston Red Sox (-180, 10) stare down their largest total of the season Monday as they host the Chicago White Sox. Boston has been one of the most reliable under bets on the season, going 34-51-3 O/U - including a 16-29-0 mark at Fenway Park.
Tanaka Turnaround?
New York Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka looks to bounce back Tuesday as he faces off against the Cleveland Indians. Tanaka allowed four runs over seven innings in a victory over Minnesota last time out, snapping his streak of consecutive quality starts to begin his major-league career at 16.
Pitching Notes
* Kansas City right-hander James Shields looks to halt a three-game losing skid against the moneyline as he takes on the host Tampa Bay Rays (-122, 7) in a Monday night tilt. Shields has been a strong Over play of late, going 8-1 O/U in his previous nine starts - including 5-0 in his last five road outings.
* The Los Angeles Dodgers sent road warrior Hyun-jin Ryu to the hill Tuesday in an interleague encounter in Detroit. Ryu has been one of the most dependable road pitchers in baseball to date, going 6-1 with a 1.62 ERA and a 1-6 O/U record in seven starts away from Dodger Stadium.
Hitting Notes
* Houston Astros rookie outfielder George Springer has had an up-and-down start to his major-league career, racking up 17 homers in 268 at-bats but also striking out a whopping 105 times. Houston is 11-5 SU and 9-7 O/U when Springer goes deep entering Monday's game in Texas (-130, 9.5).
* Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is on a tear, recording four multi-hit games in his last five outings to bump his average to .324 - good for fourth in the NL. The Pirates, who are 19-11 SU when McCutchen has more than one hit, visit St. Louis on Tuesday night.
Totals Streak
Toronto Blue Jays (1-7 O/U): The Blue Jays offense continues to sag - scoring just four runs in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Oakland Athletics - and could struggle further with the loss of slugger Edwin Encarnacion to a quad injury. Toronto is now 42-45-3 O/U for the year.
Prop of the Day
The Angels may represent the strongest blowout play of the day at +475 to win by five or more runs. The Toronto offense hasn't done much of anything so far on its West Coast swing, and now faces the daunting task of matching up against a Los Angeles team that has won 19 of its last 21 home games.
Injury Notes
* Tampa Bay hurler Jeremy Hellickson will finally make his 2014 debut Tuesday after completing his recovery from elbow surgery. Hellickson went 12-10 with a 5.17 ERA in 32 appearances last season, with the Rays going 18-14 SU and 16-14-2 O/U in those outings.
* Toronto first baseman Edwin Encarnacion is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a strained quadriceps suffered over the weekend in Oakland. The Blue Jays are 14-6 SU and 14-6 O/U in games in which Encarnacion hits a home run.
Weather Watch
* Fenway Park faithful should expect wind blowing out to center field at 13 mph for Monday's game between the Red Sox and White Sox. Boston went 4-2 SU and 1-5 O/U in six games under similar conditions in 2013, while teams combined to average 8.5 runs - slightly below the stadium average.
* Citi Field will see wind blowing out to right field at 11 mph for Tuesday's showdown between the host New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Teams averaged just 6.46 runs while battting .220 in 15 games with the wind blowing out to right last season - well below stadium averages.
MLB
Monday, July 7
Brandon Moss, Oakland - Ques Mon
Moss has sprained left ankle and has missed the last two games. An MRI showed that there is no structural damage and he is questionable to return on Monday against the Giants.
Indians, Masterson rolling at home
Cleveland Indians pitcher Justin Masterson has been feeling right at home at Progressive Field lately. In the righty's last six starts in Cleveland, the Tribe is 5-1. Masterson will be on the mound when the Tribe hosts the New York Yankees Monday.
The Indians are currently -145 faves with a total of nine.
Lines on the move in Pirates-Cardinals matchup
The moneyline number and total in Monday's matchup between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals has been on the move since post.
Online sportsbook 5Dimes.eu opened the Cards as -190 home faves with a total of 6.5 Sunday, but that has moved all the way to -158 with the total currently up to 7.5.
Charlie Morton is scheduled to get the ball for the Bucs while Adam Wainwright is slated to pitch for the Cardinals.
Reds keep dominating Cubs with Leake on mound
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mike Leake has been feasting on the light-hitting Chicago Cubs lineup recently, evidenced by the Reds posting a 5-0 record in his last five starts versus the North Siders. Leake will go for six-in-a-row when he gets the ball against the Cubbies at Great American Ball Park Monday.
Cincy is currently -164 favorites on the moneyline with an O/U of eight.
Sixth-worst money pitcher in action Monday
Tampa Bay Rays backers have been losing big with Jake Odorizzi starting this season. Through Monday, the righty ranks as the sixth-worst money pitcher in baseball with an ugly $-717. Odorizzi gets the start when the Rays host the Kansas City Royals Monday.
Tampa Bay is currently -122 faves with a total of seven.
Monday, July 7
Brandon Moss, Oakland - Ques Mon
Moss has sprained left ankle and has missed the last two games. An MRI showed that there is no structural damage and he is questionable to return on Monday against the Giants.
Indians, Masterson rolling at home
Cleveland Indians pitcher Justin Masterson has been feeling right at home at Progressive Field lately. In the righty's last six starts in Cleveland, the Tribe is 5-1. Masterson will be on the mound when the Tribe hosts the New York Yankees Monday.
The Indians are currently -145 faves with a total of nine.
Lines on the move in Pirates-Cardinals matchup
The moneyline number and total in Monday's matchup between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals has been on the move since post.
Online sportsbook 5Dimes.eu opened the Cards as -190 home faves with a total of 6.5 Sunday, but that has moved all the way to -158 with the total currently up to 7.5.
Charlie Morton is scheduled to get the ball for the Bucs while Adam Wainwright is slated to pitch for the Cardinals.
Reds keep dominating Cubs with Leake on mound
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mike Leake has been feasting on the light-hitting Chicago Cubs lineup recently, evidenced by the Reds posting a 5-0 record in his last five starts versus the North Siders. Leake will go for six-in-a-row when he gets the ball against the Cubbies at Great American Ball Park Monday.
Cincy is currently -164 favorites on the moneyline with an O/U of eight.
Sixth-worst money pitcher in action Monday
Tampa Bay Rays backers have been losing big with Jake Odorizzi starting this season. Through Monday, the righty ranks as the sixth-worst money pitcher in baseball with an ugly $-717. Odorizzi gets the start when the Rays host the Kansas City Royals Monday.
Tampa Bay is currently -122 faves with a total of seven.
MLB
Monday, July 7
Cardinals owning Pirates with Morton on the mound
The St. Louis Cardinals have had Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton's number. The Pirates have lost nine-in-a-row in Morton's last nine starts against the Cards. The Bucs will try to prevent that number from reaching double digits when Morton takes the mound against St. Louis Monday.
The Cardinals are currently -162 favorites with a total of 7.5.
Low scores trending between these two clubs
The scorekeeper tends to have an eventful evening when the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks square off with one another. The Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings between the two clubs.
In those previous five ball games, the teams combined for a sparse 18 runs scored (Marlins eight runs, D-backs 10), which equals 3.6 runs per game.
Despite the trend, the total on the game currently sits at nine. Tom Koehler gets the ball for the Marlins while the D-backs counter with Chase Anderson.
Rangers red-hot on the Over
Bettors backing the Over in Texas Rangers games have been reaping the rewards as of late. Five of Texas' previous six contests have gone over the total.
The Rangers are presently -130 faves with a total of 9.5 for their inter-state matchup with the Houston Astros at Global Life Park in Arlington Monday.
Monday, July 7
Cardinals owning Pirates with Morton on the mound
The St. Louis Cardinals have had Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton's number. The Pirates have lost nine-in-a-row in Morton's last nine starts against the Cards. The Bucs will try to prevent that number from reaching double digits when Morton takes the mound against St. Louis Monday.
The Cardinals are currently -162 favorites with a total of 7.5.
Low scores trending between these two clubs
The scorekeeper tends to have an eventful evening when the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks square off with one another. The Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings between the two clubs.
In those previous five ball games, the teams combined for a sparse 18 runs scored (Marlins eight runs, D-backs 10), which equals 3.6 runs per game.
Despite the trend, the total on the game currently sits at nine. Tom Koehler gets the ball for the Marlins while the D-backs counter with Chase Anderson.
Rangers red-hot on the Over
Bettors backing the Over in Texas Rangers games have been reaping the rewards as of late. Five of Texas' previous six contests have gone over the total.
The Rangers are presently -130 faves with a total of 9.5 for their inter-state matchup with the Houston Astros at Global Life Park in Arlington Monday.
Simon Green
MLB Freebie
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Philadelphia Phillies -116
Bonus Play Philadelphia Phillies The Brewers have dropped 5 of 6 and face the Phillies best pitcher in Cole Hamels. Now I do know that the Phillies have dropped 9 of 10 but Hamels has very good career numbers against the Brewers and Brewers starter Marco Estrada has just awful numbers against the Phillies. This is a prime spot for Hamels and the Phillies to get a rare win.
MLB Freebie
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Philadelphia Phillies -116
Bonus Play Philadelphia Phillies The Brewers have dropped 5 of 6 and face the Phillies best pitcher in Cole Hamels. Now I do know that the Phillies have dropped 9 of 10 but Hamels has very good career numbers against the Brewers and Brewers starter Marco Estrada has just awful numbers against the Phillies. This is a prime spot for Hamels and the Phillies to get a rare win.
MLB
Monday, July 7
This club has been an awful bet against RHP lately
The Philadelphia Phillies have been struggling immensely against right-handed pitching recently, posting a dismal 1-12 record in their last 13 games against righties. The Phils will be in tough when they face off against right-hander Marco Estrada and the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park Monday.
The Brew Crew are currently -122 faves with a total of eight for the matchup.
Monday, July 7
This club has been an awful bet against RHP lately
The Philadelphia Phillies have been struggling immensely against right-handed pitching recently, posting a dismal 1-12 record in their last 13 games against righties. The Phils will be in tough when they face off against right-hander Marco Estrada and the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park Monday.
The Brew Crew are currently -122 faves with a total of eight for the matchup.
PhillyGodfather
•STRAIGHT BET [912] TOTAL u9-115 (MIA MARLINS vrs ARI D’BACKS) ( T KOEHLER -R / C ANDERSON -R ):
•STRAIGHT BET [916] TOTAL u7-115 (KAN ROYALS vrs TAM RAYS) ( J SHIELDS -R / J ODORIZZI -R ):
•STRAIGHT BET [926] WAS NATIONALS -168 ( C TILLMAN -R / STRASBURG -R ):
•STRAIGHT BET [928] TOTAL u7½-101 (SFO GIANTS vrs OAK ATHLETICS) ( VOGELSONG -R / J CHAVEZ -R ):
Miami Marlins -103
•STRAIGHT BET [912] TOTAL u9-115 (MIA MARLINS vrs ARI D’BACKS) ( T KOEHLER -R / C ANDERSON -R ):
•STRAIGHT BET [916] TOTAL u7-115 (KAN ROYALS vrs TAM RAYS) ( J SHIELDS -R / J ODORIZZI -R ):
•STRAIGHT BET [926] WAS NATIONALS -168 ( C TILLMAN -R / STRASBURG -R ):
•STRAIGHT BET [928] TOTAL u7½-101 (SFO GIANTS vrs OAK ATHLETICS) ( VOGELSONG -R / J CHAVEZ -R ):
Miami Marlins -103
