Wednesday's MLB betting cheat sheet: Astros embracing underdog role
Here's a comprehensive look at betting notes for Wednesday's major league games:
Interleague 'Dogs Prevail
Interleague underdogs went a perfect 3-for-3 on Tuesday night. The Baltimore Orioles (+143) cruised past the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-2 while the Chicago Cubs (+150) stunned the New York Yankees 6-1 and the Minnesota Twins (+166) rallied to beat the San Diego Padres 5-3.
Johnny Be Bad
Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto saw his streak of nine consecutive quality starts to open the season come to a shocking end Tuesday as he was tagged for six runs over six innings of a 9-4 loss to Washington (-105). Cueto fell to 0-3 in his last three starts as an underdog.
Giant Killers
The Houston Astros are 4-2 in their last six games as an underdog entering Wednesday's showdown with the host Los Angeles Angels (-189, 8). Houston comes in with the worst record in the majors at 17-29, but has lost just 454 units on the season thanks to several big upset wins.
Pitching Notes
* Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu returns to the rotation Wednesday after missing the previous 3 1/2 weeks with a shoulder injury. Ryu has thrown 26 shutout innings on the road to start the season as he leads the Dodgers into New York for a date with the Mets (+118, 7).
* Cincinnati Reds righty Alfredo Simon remains one of the best bets in baseball so far, ranked 17th in pitcher money earned ($421) while posting a 1-7 O/U mark through eight starts - the most Unders in baseball. Simon and the Reds (+129, 7) face the Nationals in Washington.
Batting Notes
* Toronto first baseman Edwin Encarnacion went deep twice in Tuesday's win over Boston and has belted nine homers over his past 14 games. The Blue Jays, who are 9-5 against the moneyline and 7-6-1 O/U during that stretch, resume their series with the host Red Sox (-128, 9).
* The Tampa Bay Rays continue struggling on offense, managing just two runs in their previous three games - all losses. The Rays enter Wednesday's game against visiting Oakland (-106, 7.5) ranked 23rd in the league in home runs (35); no Tampa Bay player has hit more than four.
Totals Streak
New York Yankees (0-6 O/U): The Bronx Bombers limited the Mets and Pirates to four combined runs over a four-game stretch, then posted back-to-back subpar performances at the plate en route to losses against the Pirates and Chicago Cubs.
Prop of the Day
The Oakland Athletics are a +400 bet to beat the Rays by four or more runs. The Athletics are the hottest team in the majors, reeling off 10 wins in their last 11 games; those victories have come by an average of 5.8 runs, including three double-digit triumphs in that span.
Injury Notes
* Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee (elbow strain) faces a DL stint, though GM Ruben Amaro classifies the injury as "pretty mild." Philadelphia is 5-5 against the moneyline and 6-3-1 O/U in Lee's 10 starts this season.
* Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is questionable Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game against Houston with tightness in his hamstring. Trout finished with three RBIs in the win; Los Angeles is
Weather Watch
* Wind at PNC Park for the game between Pittsburgh and visiting Baltimore will blow out to left field at 6 mph. The Pirates went 18-7 and averaged 4.88 runs in 25 games under similar conditions last season.
Umpire Note of the Day
Under is 9-1 in umpire Doug Eddings' last 10 games calling balls and strikes. Eddings will be behind home plate for the game between the Cardinals and the Diamondbacks.
** Odds, stats, weather forecast and probable pitchers as of 11:25 a.m. ET Wednesday.
Here's a comprehensive look at betting notes for Wednesday's major league games:
Interleague 'Dogs Prevail
Interleague underdogs went a perfect 3-for-3 on Tuesday night. The Baltimore Orioles (+143) cruised past the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-2 while the Chicago Cubs (+150) stunned the New York Yankees 6-1 and the Minnesota Twins (+166) rallied to beat the San Diego Padres 5-3.
Johnny Be Bad
Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto saw his streak of nine consecutive quality starts to open the season come to a shocking end Tuesday as he was tagged for six runs over six innings of a 9-4 loss to Washington (-105). Cueto fell to 0-3 in his last three starts as an underdog.
Giant Killers
The Houston Astros are 4-2 in their last six games as an underdog entering Wednesday's showdown with the host Los Angeles Angels (-189, 8). Houston comes in with the worst record in the majors at 17-29, but has lost just 454 units on the season thanks to several big upset wins.
Pitching Notes
* Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu returns to the rotation Wednesday after missing the previous 3 1/2 weeks with a shoulder injury. Ryu has thrown 26 shutout innings on the road to start the season as he leads the Dodgers into New York for a date with the Mets (+118, 7).
* Cincinnati Reds righty Alfredo Simon remains one of the best bets in baseball so far, ranked 17th in pitcher money earned ($421) while posting a 1-7 O/U mark through eight starts - the most Unders in baseball. Simon and the Reds (+129, 7) face the Nationals in Washington.
Batting Notes
* Toronto first baseman Edwin Encarnacion went deep twice in Tuesday's win over Boston and has belted nine homers over his past 14 games. The Blue Jays, who are 9-5 against the moneyline and 7-6-1 O/U during that stretch, resume their series with the host Red Sox (-128, 9).
* The Tampa Bay Rays continue struggling on offense, managing just two runs in their previous three games - all losses. The Rays enter Wednesday's game against visiting Oakland (-106, 7.5) ranked 23rd in the league in home runs (35); no Tampa Bay player has hit more than four.
Totals Streak
New York Yankees (0-6 O/U): The Bronx Bombers limited the Mets and Pirates to four combined runs over a four-game stretch, then posted back-to-back subpar performances at the plate en route to losses against the Pirates and Chicago Cubs.
Prop of the Day
The Oakland Athletics are a +400 bet to beat the Rays by four or more runs. The Athletics are the hottest team in the majors, reeling off 10 wins in their last 11 games; those victories have come by an average of 5.8 runs, including three double-digit triumphs in that span.
Injury Notes
* Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee (elbow strain) faces a DL stint, though GM Ruben Amaro classifies the injury as "pretty mild." Philadelphia is 5-5 against the moneyline and 6-3-1 O/U in Lee's 10 starts this season.
* Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is questionable Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game against Houston with tightness in his hamstring. Trout finished with three RBIs in the win; Los Angeles is
Weather Watch
* Wind at PNC Park for the game between Pittsburgh and visiting Baltimore will blow out to left field at 6 mph. The Pirates went 18-7 and averaged 4.88 runs in 25 games under similar conditions last season.
Umpire Note of the Day
Under is 9-1 in umpire Doug Eddings' last 10 games calling balls and strikes. Eddings will be behind home plate for the game between the Cardinals and the Diamondbacks.
** Odds, stats, weather forecast and probable pitchers as of 11:25 a.m. ET Wednesday.
Wunderdog Sports Free Pick
Game: San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies
Time: Wednesday 05/21 8:40 PM Eastern
Pick: Game Total UNDER 10 (+100) at 5Dimes
We've got the highest total on the board tonight in Coors Field, but the Giants are in town with great pitching and defense. San Fran is on a 22-9-2 run UNDER the total and the UNDER is 34-15-3 in the Giants' last 52 vs. a team with a winning record. San Fran righty Matt Cain (3.92 ERA) is throwing well with the team 2-1 his last three starts. The last three years Jhoulys Chacin has been fine in Coors Field, with a 17-14 record and a 4.19 ERA. And he knows his opponent as the UNDER is 3-1-1 in Chacin's last five starts against the Giants. When these teams meet the UNDER is 10-4-2 in the last 16 meetings, including 9-1-1 UNDER the total in the last 11 meetings in Colorado. Play the Giants/Rockies UNDER.
Game: San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies
Time: Wednesday 05/21 8:40 PM Eastern
Pick: Game Total UNDER 10 (+100) at 5Dimes
We've got the highest total on the board tonight in Coors Field, but the Giants are in town with great pitching and defense. San Fran is on a 22-9-2 run UNDER the total and the UNDER is 34-15-3 in the Giants' last 52 vs. a team with a winning record. San Fran righty Matt Cain (3.92 ERA) is throwing well with the team 2-1 his last three starts. The last three years Jhoulys Chacin has been fine in Coors Field, with a 17-14 record and a 4.19 ERA. And he knows his opponent as the UNDER is 3-1-1 in Chacin's last five starts against the Giants. When these teams meet the UNDER is 10-4-2 in the last 16 meetings, including 9-1-1 UNDER the total in the last 11 meetings in Colorado. Play the Giants/Rockies UNDER.
MLB
Hot pitchers
-- Simon is 5-2, 2.63 in eight starts this season. Roark is 1-0, 2.13 in his last couple starts.
-- Santana is 4-1, 2.96 in seven starts this year. Lohse is 5-0, 3.44 in his last eight starts.
-- Ryu is 3-0, 0.00 (26 IP) in four road starts; he comes off DL here. DeGrom allowed one run in seven IP in his MLB debut.
-- Scherzer is 6-0, 1.38 in his last six starts.
-- Tepesch allowed one run in 5.1 IP in his first '14 start.
-- Milone is 1-0, 0.64 in his last two starts. Bedard is 2-0, 1.59 in his last four.
-- Hutchison is 1-1, 2.03 in his last couple starts.
-- Quintana is 1-1, 3.00 in his last three starts.
-- Weaver is 4-1, 1.86 in his last six starts.
-- Samardzija has a 2.92 RA in his last six starts, but Cubs lost all six.
-- Tillman is 1-1, 2.70 in his last three starts.
-- Hughes is 4-0, 2.23 in his last five starts. Ross is 3-0, 3.08 in his last four.
Cold pitchers
-- Kendrick is 0-4, 5.02 in his last seven starts. Eovaldi is 0-2, 6.19 in his last three starts.
-- McCarthy is 1-3, 7.48 in his four road starts. Wacha is 1-3, 3.82 in his last six starts.
-- Colorado is 0-3 when Chacin starts (0-2, 4.76). Cain is 1-1, 4.91 in his last four starts.
-- McAllister is 0-4, 9.14 in his last five starts.
-- Buchholz is 1-1, 7.62 in three home starts.
-- Guthrie is 0-2, 5.40 in his last four starts.
-- McHugh is 0-2, 6.89 in his last three starts.
-- Whitley didn't allow a run (74 PT) in his MLB debut, but didn't finish fifth inning, either (4.1 IP).
-- Rodriguez is 0-2, 6.84 in five starts this season.
Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- Simon 3-8; Roark 2-8
-- Kendrick 4-8; Eovaldi 3-9
-- Lohse 4-9; Santana 2-7
-- Ryu 1-7; DeGrom 0-1
-- McCarthy 2-9; Wacha 2-9
-- Cain 4-7; Chacin 2-3
-- Scherzer 2-9; McAllister 2-9
-- Young 1-7; Tepesch 0-1
-- Milone 4-7; Bedard 1-6
-- Hutchison 2-9; Buchholz 4-8
-- Quintana 1-9; Guthrie 3-9
-- McHugh 1-5; Weaver 2-9
-- Whitley 0-1; Samardzija 4-9
-- Tillman 3-9; Rodriguez 3-5
-- Hughes 2-8; Ross 3-9
Totals
-- Under is 9-4 in Cincinnati's last thirteen road games.
-- Seven of last nine Dodger games went over the total.
-- Under is 13-3-1 in last seventeen Atlanta home games.
-- Eight of last ten Miami games went over the total.
-- Seven of last nine Arizona games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last eleven Colorado home games went over.
-- Over is 9-1-2 in last 12 Cleveland games. Nine of last thirteen Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Oakland games went over the total.
-- Eight of last nine games at Fenway Park stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last eight Texas home games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last eight White Sox games went over; eight of last 12 KC games went under the total. .
-- Under is 5-2-1 in Angels' last eight games. Five of last six Houston games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Pittsburgh games stayed under the total.
-- Last six games at Wrigley Field stayed under total.
-- Five of last six games at Petco Park went over.
Hot teams
-- Braves won six of their last seven home games.
-- Phillies won their last three games.
-- Cardinals won five of their last six games. Arizona won four of its last six road games.
-- Colorado won 13 of its last 17 home games.
-- Detroit won 11 of its last 13 road games. Indians won five of their last seven home games.
-- Blue Jays won six of their last seven road games.
-- Oakland won ten of its last eleven games.
-- White Sox are 7-4 in their last eleven road games.
-- Mariners are 9-4 in their last thirteen road games.
-- Angels won eight of their last 11 games. Astros won five of their last seven.
-- Baltimore won six of its last eight road games.
-- Cubs won their last three games.
-- Twins won six of their last eight games.
Cold teams
-- Reds lost eight of their last ten road games. Washington is 7-9 in its last 16 games.
-- Mets lost five of their last six games. Dodgers lost five of their last eight road games.
-- Miami lost eight of their last eleven games. .
-- Brewers lost seven of their last nine road games.
-- Giants lost three of their last four games.
-- Tampa Bay lost eight of last nine home games.
-- Red Sox lost six of their last seven games.
-- Kansas City is 4-8 in its last twelve home games.
-- Texas lost seven of its last nine games. .
-- Pittsburgh lost six of its last eight games.
-- Bronx is 4-6 in its last ten games.
-- Padres lost three of their last four games.
Umpires
-- Cin-Wsh-- Last five Porter games stayed under total.
-- Phil-Mia-- Five of last six Carlson games went over.
-- Mil-Atl-- Underdogs won four of last seven Knight games.
-- LA-NY-- Six of seven Nauert games went over the total.
-- Az-StL-- Eight of nine Eddings games stayed under.
-- SF-Col-- Favorites won three of last four Hamari games.
-- Det-Clev-- Four of last five Timmons games stayed under.
-- Sea-Tex-- Favorites won six of eight Kellogg games.
-- A's-TB-- Three of last four BWelke games stayed under.
-- Tor-Bos-- Five of last seven Ripperger games stayed under.
-- Chi-KC-- Favorites won five of seven Hallion games.
-- Hst-LA-- Home teams won seven of eight Davis games.
-- NY-Chi-- Home side won six of last seven Demuth games.
-- Blt-Pitt-- Five of six Conroy games went over the total.
-- Min-SD-- Five of seven Wegner games stayed under total.
Hot pitchers
-- Simon is 5-2, 2.63 in eight starts this season. Roark is 1-0, 2.13 in his last couple starts.
-- Santana is 4-1, 2.96 in seven starts this year. Lohse is 5-0, 3.44 in his last eight starts.
-- Ryu is 3-0, 0.00 (26 IP) in four road starts; he comes off DL here. DeGrom allowed one run in seven IP in his MLB debut.
-- Scherzer is 6-0, 1.38 in his last six starts.
-- Tepesch allowed one run in 5.1 IP in his first '14 start.
-- Milone is 1-0, 0.64 in his last two starts. Bedard is 2-0, 1.59 in his last four.
-- Hutchison is 1-1, 2.03 in his last couple starts.
-- Quintana is 1-1, 3.00 in his last three starts.
-- Weaver is 4-1, 1.86 in his last six starts.
-- Samardzija has a 2.92 RA in his last six starts, but Cubs lost all six.
-- Tillman is 1-1, 2.70 in his last three starts.
-- Hughes is 4-0, 2.23 in his last five starts. Ross is 3-0, 3.08 in his last four.
Cold pitchers
-- Kendrick is 0-4, 5.02 in his last seven starts. Eovaldi is 0-2, 6.19 in his last three starts.
-- McCarthy is 1-3, 7.48 in his four road starts. Wacha is 1-3, 3.82 in his last six starts.
-- Colorado is 0-3 when Chacin starts (0-2, 4.76). Cain is 1-1, 4.91 in his last four starts.
-- McAllister is 0-4, 9.14 in his last five starts.
-- Buchholz is 1-1, 7.62 in three home starts.
-- Guthrie is 0-2, 5.40 in his last four starts.
-- McHugh is 0-2, 6.89 in his last three starts.
-- Whitley didn't allow a run (74 PT) in his MLB debut, but didn't finish fifth inning, either (4.1 IP).
-- Rodriguez is 0-2, 6.84 in five starts this season.
Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- Simon 3-8; Roark 2-8
-- Kendrick 4-8; Eovaldi 3-9
-- Lohse 4-9; Santana 2-7
-- Ryu 1-7; DeGrom 0-1
-- McCarthy 2-9; Wacha 2-9
-- Cain 4-7; Chacin 2-3
-- Scherzer 2-9; McAllister 2-9
-- Young 1-7; Tepesch 0-1
-- Milone 4-7; Bedard 1-6
-- Hutchison 2-9; Buchholz 4-8
-- Quintana 1-9; Guthrie 3-9
-- McHugh 1-5; Weaver 2-9
-- Whitley 0-1; Samardzija 4-9
-- Tillman 3-9; Rodriguez 3-5
-- Hughes 2-8; Ross 3-9
Totals
-- Under is 9-4 in Cincinnati's last thirteen road games.
-- Seven of last nine Dodger games went over the total.
-- Under is 13-3-1 in last seventeen Atlanta home games.
-- Eight of last ten Miami games went over the total.
-- Seven of last nine Arizona games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last eleven Colorado home games went over.
-- Over is 9-1-2 in last 12 Cleveland games. Nine of last thirteen Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Oakland games went over the total.
-- Eight of last nine games at Fenway Park stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last eight Texas home games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last eight White Sox games went over; eight of last 12 KC games went under the total. .
-- Under is 5-2-1 in Angels' last eight games. Five of last six Houston games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Pittsburgh games stayed under the total.
-- Last six games at Wrigley Field stayed under total.
-- Five of last six games at Petco Park went over.
Hot teams
-- Braves won six of their last seven home games.
-- Phillies won their last three games.
-- Cardinals won five of their last six games. Arizona won four of its last six road games.
-- Colorado won 13 of its last 17 home games.
-- Detroit won 11 of its last 13 road games. Indians won five of their last seven home games.
-- Blue Jays won six of their last seven road games.
-- Oakland won ten of its last eleven games.
-- White Sox are 7-4 in their last eleven road games.
-- Mariners are 9-4 in their last thirteen road games.
-- Angels won eight of their last 11 games. Astros won five of their last seven.
-- Baltimore won six of its last eight road games.
-- Cubs won their last three games.
-- Twins won six of their last eight games.
Cold teams
-- Reds lost eight of their last ten road games. Washington is 7-9 in its last 16 games.
-- Mets lost five of their last six games. Dodgers lost five of their last eight road games.
-- Miami lost eight of their last eleven games. .
-- Brewers lost seven of their last nine road games.
-- Giants lost three of their last four games.
-- Tampa Bay lost eight of last nine home games.
-- Red Sox lost six of their last seven games.
-- Kansas City is 4-8 in its last twelve home games.
-- Texas lost seven of its last nine games. .
-- Pittsburgh lost six of its last eight games.
-- Bronx is 4-6 in its last ten games.
-- Padres lost three of their last four games.
Umpires
-- Cin-Wsh-- Last five Porter games stayed under total.
-- Phil-Mia-- Five of last six Carlson games went over.
-- Mil-Atl-- Underdogs won four of last seven Knight games.
-- LA-NY-- Six of seven Nauert games went over the total.
-- Az-StL-- Eight of nine Eddings games stayed under.
-- SF-Col-- Favorites won three of last four Hamari games.
-- Det-Clev-- Four of last five Timmons games stayed under.
-- Sea-Tex-- Favorites won six of eight Kellogg games.
-- A's-TB-- Three of last four BWelke games stayed under.
-- Tor-Bos-- Five of last seven Ripperger games stayed under.
-- Chi-KC-- Favorites won five of seven Hallion games.
-- Hst-LA-- Home teams won seven of eight Davis games.
-- NY-Chi-- Home side won six of last seven Demuth games.
-- Blt-Pitt-- Five of six Conroy games went over the total.
-- Min-SD-- Five of seven Wegner games stayed under total.
