MLB betting cheat sheet: Rays in tough against Gray
Here's a comprehensive look at betting notes for the mid-week major league games:
The Price Was (Mostly) Right
David Price looked strong in his Detroit debut, striking out 10 over 8 2/3 innings but settling for a no-decision in the Tigers' 4-3, 11-inning victory over the New York Yankees. Between the Rays and Tigers, Price is 8-2 SU and 2-8 O/U in his last 10 starts.
Gray Day For Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays will have their hands full Wednesday as they face Sonny Gray and the Oakland Athletics (-204, 7). Gray has a 0.61 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay, and has surrendered just five earned runs over his previous six outings overall.
Lester's Encore
Left-hander Jon Lester will look for his second win in as many starts as an Athletic on Thursday as Oakland entertains the Minnesota Twins. Lester, acquired from Boston at the non-waiver trade deadline, is 8-1 SU and 3-6 O/U in his previous nine starts.
Pitching Notes
* Cleveland right-hander Danny Salazar has a pair of streaks on the line Wednesday as the Indians (-108, 7) visit the Cincinnati Reds. Salazar is 3-0 SU and 3-0 O/U in three starts since being called up from Triple-A Columbus in late July.
* Jake Peavy is off to a dismal start in his return to the National League as he leads the San Francisco Giants into Milwaukee on Thursday. Peavy has lost his first two starts since being acquired from Boston, and his teams have dropped 14 of his previous 15 outings overall.
Hitting Notes
* Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis is mired in a 3-for-25 slump that has coincided with his team's season-worst seven-game losing skid. Gattis and the Braves (-120, 7) resume their interleague series in Seattle on Wednesday.
* Home runs may be hard to come by for the Baltimore Orioles in Thursday's tilt with JA Happ and the Toronto Blue Jays. No active member of the Orioles has gone deep against Happ, who has a 2.45 ERA in 25 2/3 career innings vs. Baltimore.
Totals Streak
Pittsburgh Pirates (5-1 O/U): The Pirates are in a bit of a tailspin, having dropped four of six while dealing with the potential long-term absence of defending NL MVP Andrew McCutchen. Pittsburgh is 51-53-8 O/U for the season.
Prop of the Day
The Cubs may be a strong play to win in Colorado by more than two runs; they're valued at +215 to do so. Cubs starter Jake Arrieta has recorded 10 straight quality starts while Rockies counterpart Jordan Lyles is making his return from a two-month DL stint due to a broken hand.
Injury Notes
* Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is expected to return Wednesday after missing the previous four games with an ankle injury. The Rockies went 2-2 SU, 2-2 O/U and earned four units in his absence as they prepare to tangle with the Cubs.
Weather Watch
* Winds at O.co Coliseum will blow out to right field at 6 mph Wednesday for the game between host Oakland and Tampa Bay. The Athletics went 21-8 SU and 12-17 O/U in 29 games last season with the wind blowing out to right at less than 10 mph.
Umpire Note of the Day
Under is 15-5-1 in umpire Brian O'Nora's last 21 games calling balls and strikes. O'Nora will be behind home plate Wednesday when the Blue Jays (+110, 8.5) host the Orioles.
** Odds, stats, weather forecast and probable pitchers as of 10:20 a.m. ET Wednesday.