Thursday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider
Rays at Tigers
Probable Pitchers:
TB: Bedard (4-5, 4.21 ERA)
DET: Scherzer (9-3, 3.64 ERA)
Previous series recap: Both these teams are coming off impressive sweeps, as the Rays took three games from the Yankees on the road, while the Tigers took care of the AL West-leading A’s at home in three games. Tampa Bay no longer owns the worst record in baseball as the Rays are currently 6-1 on their road trip, as each of the last four wins have come in the favorite role.
What to watch for: Since dropping three straight to the Royals at home in mid-June, the Tigers are rolling through an 11-2 stretch the last 13 contests. Detroit has won six of Scherzer’s seven starts at Comerica Park this season, while the Rays have dropped three of Bedard’s past four outings on the highway.
Yankees at Twins
Probable Pitchers:
NYY: Tanaka (11-3, 2.10 ERA)
MIN: Hughes (8-4, 3.58 ERA)
Previous series recap: The Yankees hit the road after suffering their fifth straight defeat on Wednesday, a 6-3 setback to the Rays at home. In four losses during this funk, New York has scored three runs or less, while going on a 5-1-1 run to the ‘under’ in the last seven games overall. The Twins were blanked in the series finale by the Royals on Wednesday, 4-0 to drop two of three games to Kansas City, as Minnesota has stumbled to a 2-7 mark in the past nine contests.
What to watch for: Following a 12-2 record in his first 14 starts, the Yankees have lost the last two outings made by Tanaka, as the offense has plated just one run in those defeats. The Twins have won 10 of Hughes’ previous 13 outings, including a 7-2 victory against his former squad in the Bronx last month as a +120 underdog.
Dodgers at Rockies
Probable Pitchers:
LAD: Greinke (10-4, 2.78 ERA)
COL: Morales (4-4, 5.75 ERA)
Previous series recap: The Dodgers fell in the final two games to the Indians, capped off by a 5-4 setback on Thursday as -140 favorites. The Rockies stumble home after a dreadful 1-6 road trip at Milwaukee and Washington, as Colorado squandered a 3-0 lead in a 4-3 defeat to the Nationals last night as +165 underdogs.
What to watch for: Los Angeles has lost each of the last four road starts made by Greinke, including a 5-4 loss at Coors Field last month in extra innings. The Dodgers have won six straight games against left-handed starting pitchers dating back to June 9, while capturing five of their last seven road series openers. Since sweeping the Giants on the highway two weeks ago, the Rockies have limped to a 2-14 mark in the past 16 contests, including a 1-5 mark at home.
Blue Jays at Athletics
Probable Pitchers:
TOR: Dickey (6-7, 4.24 ERA)
OAK: Gray (7-3, 3.20 ERA)
Previous series recap: The Blue Jays walked-off past the Brewers on Wednesday, 7-4 to complete a mini two-game sweep of the Brewers, while finishing off their homestand at 5-4. The A’s return to the Bay Area after an up-and-down road trip, which concluded by getting swept at Detroit in three games, as the offense managed to score just seven runs in the series.
What to watch for: Toronto swept Oakland at home the last time these teams squared off in late May, as all three games finished ‘under’ the total. Dickey has lost each of his last three trips to the mound for Toronto, as the Jays own a dreadful 1-6 record in his seven road outings. Gray’s numbers have dipped following a fast start, as the righty allowed five earned runs in five innings in his past outing at Miami, but the A’s picked up the victory in extra innings as a -155 favorite.
Astros at Angels
Probable Pitchers:
HOU: Oberholtzer (2-6, 4.40 ERA)
LAA: Shoemaker (5-2, 4.50 ERA)
Previous series recap: The Angels failed to pull off the sweep of the White Sox last night, falling 3-2 as a –155 favorite, while finishing off their road trip at 3-3. The Astros stubbed their toe in a three-game sweep at the hands of the streaking Mariners, as Houston wrapped up its homestand at 3-6, while allowing 28 runs in the three losses to Seattle.
What to watch for: Houston has won just two of Oberholtzer’s 10 starts this season, but the southpaw did pick up a victory as a +170 ‘dog at Los Angeles last August. The Angels are riding a six-game winning streak at home after sweeping the Twins and Rangers on their previous homestand, but tonight’s number (-170) is the highest price Shoemaker has been listed at in nine career starts.
