MLB betting cheat sheet: Happ a strong ‘Under’ play
Here’s a comprehensive look at betting notes for the early-week major league games:
Padres Bucking Over Trend
The San Diego Padres (-113, O 7) continued their late-season Over trend Sunday with an 8-2 home drubbing of the San Francisco Giants. The Padres (59-91-5 O/U) still have the fewest Overs in the majors, but are a stunning 7-3 O/U in their last 10 games.
What’s Happ-ening?
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ is one of the strongest Under plays of late heading into Monday’s showdown with the visiting Seattle Mariners (-115, 8). Happ has recorded six consecutive Unders and is 1-8-1 O/U in his last 10 starts.
Marlins Showing Brotherly Love
The Miami Marlins have enjoyed their visits from the Philadelphia Phillies this season as the National League East rivals do battle Tuesday night. Miami is 4-2 SU and 4-1-1 O/U in six home meetings with the Phillies so far in 2014.
Pitching Notes
* Bet against Adam Wainwright at your peril. The St. Louis Cardinals ace is 10-6 with a 1.82 ERA in 17 road starts going into Monday’s tilt with host Chicago (+171, 7); the Cubs did, however, torch him for six runs over five innings in a home win May 2.
* Miami right-hander Henderson Alvarez looks to secure a top-five spot in pitcher values this season as the Marlins tangle with the visiting Phillies on Tuesday. Alvarez ranks fourth among starters at $1,148, with Miami going 19-9 in his starts.
Hitting Notes
* A pair of Los Angeles Dodgers have caught fire at the right time. Matt Kemp is hitting .333 with three home runs and 10 RBIs over the past seven days, while first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is batting .333 with two homers and nine RBIs over the same span.
* All eyes will be on Chicago lefty Chris Sale and Detroit slugger Victor Martinez as the White Sox visit the Tigers. Martinez is hitting a scorching 15-for-28 lifetime versus Sale, with three home runs, six walks and eight RBIs.
Totals Streak
Minnesota Twins (7-1 O/U): The Twins are a strong bet to finish with the most Overs in the American League following their latest stretch in which they’ve surrendered four or more runs in eight of their last nine games. The Twins are 84-66-5 O/U for the year.
Prop of the Day
Bettors may want to consider taking the Seattle Mariners to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays by exactly one run (+550). Six of Happ’s last 10 starts have been decided by a run, with the Blue Jays going 2-4 in those games.
Injury Notes
* The Tampa Bay Rays have announced that outfielder Desmond Jennings will miss the remainder of the season with a left knee injury. Jennings hasn’t played since Aug. 28 – a stretch during which the Rays have gone 10-12 SU, 10-10-2 O/U and -511 units.
* Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila is expected to rejoin the club shortly as he makes his way back from a concussion. Avila has missed 17 games this season, with the Tigers going 11-6 SU, 9-8 O/U and +373 units in those contests.
Weather Watch
* Wind at Turner Field will blow in from center field at 7 mph for Monday’s tilt between the host Braves (+129, 6.5) and Pittsburgh. teams combined to hit .229 with 1.38 home runs in eight games under similar conditions in 2013 – well below stadium averages.
** Odds, stats, weather forecast and probable pitchers as of 11:10 a.m. ET. Monday.
