Jimmy Boyd
Jun 08 '17, 1:10 PM in 39m
MLB | LAA vs DET
Play on: UNDER 8½ -115
Free Pick on Angels/Tigers UNDER
I really like the value here with the total in Thursday's afternoon clash between the Angels and Tigers. Neither of these teams have swung the bats well in day games this season. Los Angeles has hit just .210 in 15 day games and a lot of those were with Mike Trout in the lineup, who is sidelined. Note that LA is scoring just 3.3 runs/game over their last 7. Detroit is better, but are only hitting .240 as a team over 24 day games.
On top of the offenses not posing a big threat, I like the starting pitching matchup here. Angels will send out J.C. Ramirez, who had a bad outing last time out against the Twins, but still owns a respectable 4.01 ERA and 1.154 WHIP in 10 starts (3.68 ERA in 5 road outings). Detroit counters with last year's Rookie of the Year in Michael Fulmer, who isn't dominating, but is 6-3 with a solid 3.00 ERA and 1.107 WHIP in 11 starts. He faced the Angels back in early May (5/11) and allowed just 1 run on 3 hits over 7 innings, improving his ERA to 1.83 in 3 career starts against Los Angeles. Take the UNDER!
Jun 08 '17, 1:10 PM in 39m
MLB | LAA vs DET
Play on: UNDER 8½ -115
Free Pick on Angels/Tigers UNDER
I really like the value here with the total in Thursday's afternoon clash between the Angels and Tigers. Neither of these teams have swung the bats well in day games this season. Los Angeles has hit just .210 in 15 day games and a lot of those were with Mike Trout in the lineup, who is sidelined. Note that LA is scoring just 3.3 runs/game over their last 7. Detroit is better, but are only hitting .240 as a team over 24 day games.
On top of the offenses not posing a big threat, I like the starting pitching matchup here. Angels will send out J.C. Ramirez, who had a bad outing last time out against the Twins, but still owns a respectable 4.01 ERA and 1.154 WHIP in 10 starts (3.68 ERA in 5 road outings). Detroit counters with last year's Rookie of the Year in Michael Fulmer, who isn't dominating, but is 6-3 with a solid 3.00 ERA and 1.107 WHIP in 11 starts. He faced the Angels back in early May (5/11) and allowed just 1 run on 3 hits over 7 innings, improving his ERA to 1.83 in 3 career starts against Los Angeles. Take the UNDER!
Jack Jones
Jun 08 '17, 3:40 PM in 3h
MLB | Padres vs Diamondbacks
Play on: Diamondbacks -135 at betonline
Jack's Free Pick Thursday: Arizona Diamondbacks -135
The Arizona Diamondbacks are 23-8 at home this season. They are hitting .292 and scoring 6.2 runs per game at home this year. The Padres are 10-21 on the road this season, and they are hitting just .207 and scoring 3.0 runs per game against left-handed starters.
Pat Corbin has been terrible on the road in 2017, but it has been a different story at home. Corbin is 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA in seven home starts, and the Diamondbacks are 6-1 in those seven games. Corbin is also 4-4 with a 3.24 ERA in eight career starts against San Diego.
Clayton Richard is 4-6 with a 4.36 ERA and 1.453 WHIP in 12 starts this season for the Padres. It's surprising that he is getting so much respect here from oddsmakers. Richard has posted a 3.92 ERA and 1.368 WHIP in 16 career starts against the Diamondbacks. He gave up 6 runs and 11 base runners in 3 2/3 innings in a 3-9 loss at Arizona on April 25th earlier this season.
The Diamondbacks are 11-2 in their last 13 home games vs. a left-handed starter. Arizona is 6-0 in Corbin's last six home starts. The Padres are 0-6 in their last six vs. a left-handed starter. San Diego is 1-8 in its last nine games at Arizona. The Padres are 21-50 in their last 71 road games. Bet the Diamondbacks Thursday.
Jun 08 '17, 3:40 PM in 3h
MLB | Padres vs Diamondbacks
Play on: Diamondbacks -135 at betonline
Jack's Free Pick Thursday: Arizona Diamondbacks -135
The Arizona Diamondbacks are 23-8 at home this season. They are hitting .292 and scoring 6.2 runs per game at home this year. The Padres are 10-21 on the road this season, and they are hitting just .207 and scoring 3.0 runs per game against left-handed starters.
Pat Corbin has been terrible on the road in 2017, but it has been a different story at home. Corbin is 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA in seven home starts, and the Diamondbacks are 6-1 in those seven games. Corbin is also 4-4 with a 3.24 ERA in eight career starts against San Diego.
Clayton Richard is 4-6 with a 4.36 ERA and 1.453 WHIP in 12 starts this season for the Padres. It's surprising that he is getting so much respect here from oddsmakers. Richard has posted a 3.92 ERA and 1.368 WHIP in 16 career starts against the Diamondbacks. He gave up 6 runs and 11 base runners in 3 2/3 innings in a 3-9 loss at Arizona on April 25th earlier this season.
The Diamondbacks are 11-2 in their last 13 home games vs. a left-handed starter. Arizona is 6-0 in Corbin's last six home starts. The Padres are 0-6 in their last six vs. a left-handed starter. San Diego is 1-8 in its last nine games at Arizona. The Padres are 21-50 in their last 71 road games. Bet the Diamondbacks Thursday.
Doc's Sports
Jun 08 '17, 8:15 PM in 7h
MLB | Astros vs Royals
Play on: Royals +179 at BMaker
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Kauffman Stadium
Probable Pitchers: Lance McCullers vs. Jason Hammel
The Houston Astros visit Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, June 8, 2017 to play the Kansas City Royals. The probable starters are Lance McCullers for the Astros and Jason Hammel for the Royals.
The opening line for this matchup has Houston at -180 and Kansas City at +170. The Astros have a 29-24-6 over/under record and a 36-23-0 run line mark. The Royals are 26-31-0 against the run line and have a 22-32-3 over/under record.
Valuable Houston Astros Betting Trends
The Houston Astros are 29-24-6 against the over/under
The Houston Astros are 36-23-0 against the run line
Important Kansas City Royals Betting Trends
The Kansas City Royals are 22-32-3 against the over/under
The Kansas City Royals are 26-31-0 against the run line
Key Houston Astros Injuries
06/06/17 SS Marwin Gonzalez Hand "?" Wednesday vs. Kansas City Royals
05/30/17 P Joe Musgrove Shoulder 10-day DL (05/27)
05/28/17 P Charlie Morton Back 10-day DL (05/25)
04/20/17 P Jandel Gustave Forearm 10-day DL (04/19)
03/31/17 P Collin McHugh Elbow 10-day DL (03/30)
Key Kansas City Royals Injuries
06/02/17 RF Paulo Orlando Undisclosed 60-day DL (06/01)
05/29/17 P Danny Duffy Oblique 10-day DL (05/29)
05/28/17 P Scott Alexander Hamstring 10-day DL (05/08)
05/28/17 P Brian Flynn Back 60-day DL (02/15)
05/24/17 P Nathan Karns Arm 10-day DL (05/21)
Useful Pitching Statistics
The Astros have a 42-17 overall record this season. Starting pitcher Lance McCullers has a 6-1 record with an earned run average of 2.71 and a WHIP of 1.11. He has 81 strikeouts over his 69.2 innings pitched and he's given up 56 hits. He allows 7.2 hits per 9 innings and he has a FIP of 2.97. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.55 and they have given up 155 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .211 against the bullpen and they've struck out 253 hitters and walked 72 batters. As a team, Houston allows 7.8 hits per nine innings while striking out 10.1 batters per nine innings. They are 2nd in the league in team earned run average at 3.52. The Astros pitchers collectively have given up 462 base hits and 209 earned runs. They have allowed 72 home runs this season, ranking them 12th in the league. Houston as a pitching staff has walked 178 batters and struck out 598. They have walked 3 men per 9 innings while striking out 10.1 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.20 and their FIP as a unit is 3.68.
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Hitting Statistics
As a team Houston is hitting .278, good for 1st in the league. The Astros hold a .472 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .345, which is good for 1st in baseball. They rank 2nd in MLB with 9.6 hits per game. Carlos Correa is hitting .314 with an on-base percentage of .392. He has 65 hits this season in 207 at bats with 40 runs batted in. He has a slugging percentage of .531 and an OPS+ of 156. Jose Altuve is hitting .326 this year and he has an on-base percentage of .393. He has totaled 73 hits and he has driven in 29 men in 224 at bats. His OPS+ is 153 while his slugging percentage is at .518. The Astros have 566 hits, including 107 doubles and 93 home runs. Houston has walked 192 times so far this season and they have struck out 410 times as a unit. They have left 398 men on base and have a team OPS of .818. They score 5.53 runs per contest and have scored a total of 326 runs this year.
Useful Pitching Statistics
Kansas City has a 25-32 overall mark this year. With an earned run average of 5.93, Jason Hammel has a 2-6 record and a 1.60 WHIP. He has 47 strikeouts over the 57.2 innings he's pitched. He's also given up 69 hits. He allows 10.8 hits per nine innings and his FIP stands at 4.81. The bullpen has an earned run average of 4.55 and they have given up 192 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .254 against the Royals bullpen. Their relievers have struck out 179 batters and walked 88 opposing hitters. As a team, Kansas City allows 8.8 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.8 batters per nine innings. They are 20th in the league in team earned run average at 4.39. The Royals pitchers as a team have surrendered 501 base knocks and 249 earned runs this season. They have given up 63 home runs this year, which ranks 26th in Major League Baseball. Kansas City as a staff has walked 203 hitters and struck out 444 batters. They give up a walk 3.6 times per 9 innings while they strike out 7.8 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.38 while their FIP as a staff is 4.19.
Hitting Statistics
As a team, they are batting .237, good for 26th in the league. The Royals hold a .383 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .294, which is good for 29th in baseball. They rank 27th in MLB with 8.0 hits per contest. Salvador Perez comes into this matchup batting .264 with an OBP of .298. He has 53 hits this year along with 32 RBI in 201 AB's. He maintains a slugging percentage of .473 with an OPS+ of 102. Lorenzo Cain is hitting .261 this season and he has an OBP of .342. He has collected 54 hits in 207 at bats while driving in 14 runs. He has an OPS+ of 91 and a slugging percentage of .367. The Royals as a unit have 454 base hits, including 82 doubles and 63 homers. Kansas City has walked 140 times this year and they have struck out on 426 occasions. They have had 357 men left on base and have an OPS of .677. They have scored 3.61 runs per game and totaled 206 runs this season.
Who will win tonight's Astros/Royals MLB game against the spread?
Doc's Sports Pick: Take the Royals
Jun 08 '17, 8:15 PM in 7h
MLB | Astros vs Royals
Play on: Royals +179 at BMaker
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Kauffman Stadium
Probable Pitchers: Lance McCullers vs. Jason Hammel
The Houston Astros visit Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, June 8, 2017 to play the Kansas City Royals. The probable starters are Lance McCullers for the Astros and Jason Hammel for the Royals.
The opening line for this matchup has Houston at -180 and Kansas City at +170. The Astros have a 29-24-6 over/under record and a 36-23-0 run line mark. The Royals are 26-31-0 against the run line and have a 22-32-3 over/under record.
Valuable Houston Astros Betting Trends
The Houston Astros are 29-24-6 against the over/under
The Houston Astros are 36-23-0 against the run line
Important Kansas City Royals Betting Trends
The Kansas City Royals are 22-32-3 against the over/under
The Kansas City Royals are 26-31-0 against the run line
Key Houston Astros Injuries
06/06/17 SS Marwin Gonzalez Hand "?" Wednesday vs. Kansas City Royals
05/30/17 P Joe Musgrove Shoulder 10-day DL (05/27)
05/28/17 P Charlie Morton Back 10-day DL (05/25)
04/20/17 P Jandel Gustave Forearm 10-day DL (04/19)
03/31/17 P Collin McHugh Elbow 10-day DL (03/30)
Key Kansas City Royals Injuries
06/02/17 RF Paulo Orlando Undisclosed 60-day DL (06/01)
05/29/17 P Danny Duffy Oblique 10-day DL (05/29)
05/28/17 P Scott Alexander Hamstring 10-day DL (05/08)
05/28/17 P Brian Flynn Back 60-day DL (02/15)
05/24/17 P Nathan Karns Arm 10-day DL (05/21)
Useful Pitching Statistics
The Astros have a 42-17 overall record this season. Starting pitcher Lance McCullers has a 6-1 record with an earned run average of 2.71 and a WHIP of 1.11. He has 81 strikeouts over his 69.2 innings pitched and he's given up 56 hits. He allows 7.2 hits per 9 innings and he has a FIP of 2.97. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.55 and they have given up 155 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .211 against the bullpen and they've struck out 253 hitters and walked 72 batters. As a team, Houston allows 7.8 hits per nine innings while striking out 10.1 batters per nine innings. They are 2nd in the league in team earned run average at 3.52. The Astros pitchers collectively have given up 462 base hits and 209 earned runs. They have allowed 72 home runs this season, ranking them 12th in the league. Houston as a pitching staff has walked 178 batters and struck out 598. They have walked 3 men per 9 innings while striking out 10.1 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.20 and their FIP as a unit is 3.68.
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Hitting Statistics
As a team Houston is hitting .278, good for 1st in the league. The Astros hold a .472 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .345, which is good for 1st in baseball. They rank 2nd in MLB with 9.6 hits per game. Carlos Correa is hitting .314 with an on-base percentage of .392. He has 65 hits this season in 207 at bats with 40 runs batted in. He has a slugging percentage of .531 and an OPS+ of 156. Jose Altuve is hitting .326 this year and he has an on-base percentage of .393. He has totaled 73 hits and he has driven in 29 men in 224 at bats. His OPS+ is 153 while his slugging percentage is at .518. The Astros have 566 hits, including 107 doubles and 93 home runs. Houston has walked 192 times so far this season and they have struck out 410 times as a unit. They have left 398 men on base and have a team OPS of .818. They score 5.53 runs per contest and have scored a total of 326 runs this year.
Useful Pitching Statistics
Kansas City has a 25-32 overall mark this year. With an earned run average of 5.93, Jason Hammel has a 2-6 record and a 1.60 WHIP. He has 47 strikeouts over the 57.2 innings he's pitched. He's also given up 69 hits. He allows 10.8 hits per nine innings and his FIP stands at 4.81. The bullpen has an earned run average of 4.55 and they have given up 192 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .254 against the Royals bullpen. Their relievers have struck out 179 batters and walked 88 opposing hitters. As a team, Kansas City allows 8.8 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.8 batters per nine innings. They are 20th in the league in team earned run average at 4.39. The Royals pitchers as a team have surrendered 501 base knocks and 249 earned runs this season. They have given up 63 home runs this year, which ranks 26th in Major League Baseball. Kansas City as a staff has walked 203 hitters and struck out 444 batters. They give up a walk 3.6 times per 9 innings while they strike out 7.8 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.38 while their FIP as a staff is 4.19.
Hitting Statistics
As a team, they are batting .237, good for 26th in the league. The Royals hold a .383 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .294, which is good for 29th in baseball. They rank 27th in MLB with 8.0 hits per contest. Salvador Perez comes into this matchup batting .264 with an OBP of .298. He has 53 hits this year along with 32 RBI in 201 AB's. He maintains a slugging percentage of .473 with an OPS+ of 102. Lorenzo Cain is hitting .261 this season and he has an OBP of .342. He has collected 54 hits in 207 at bats while driving in 14 runs. He has an OPS+ of 91 and a slugging percentage of .367. The Royals as a unit have 454 base hits, including 82 doubles and 63 homers. Kansas City has walked 140 times this year and they have struck out on 426 occasions. They have had 357 men left on base and have an OPS of .677. They have scored 3.61 runs per game and totaled 206 runs this season.
Who will win tonight's Astros/Royals MLB game against the spread?
Doc's Sports Pick: Take the Royals
Brandon Lee
MLB | Jun 08, 2017
Red Sox vs. Yankees
Yankees -116 at BETONLINE
10* FREE MLB PICK (Yankees -116)
My money is on New York to take the rubber match in tonight's series finale against rival Boston. Yankees will send out Michael Pineda, who has pitched like a Cy Young winner at home this season, posting a 2.31 ERA to go with a sensational 0.897 WHIP in 6 starts at Yankee Stadium. New York also comes in with some momentum after dominating the Red Sox in Wednesday's 8-0 win. David Price has been solid in his return to the rotation, but has a history of struggling against the Yankees with a 4.63 ERA in 35 career starts (allowed 11 runs on 21 hits in his last 2 starts). Give me New York -116!
MLB | Jun 08, 2017
Red Sox vs. Yankees
Yankees -116 at BETONLINE
10* FREE MLB PICK (Yankees -116)
My money is on New York to take the rubber match in tonight's series finale against rival Boston. Yankees will send out Michael Pineda, who has pitched like a Cy Young winner at home this season, posting a 2.31 ERA to go with a sensational 0.897 WHIP in 6 starts at Yankee Stadium. New York also comes in with some momentum after dominating the Red Sox in Wednesday's 8-0 win. David Price has been solid in his return to the rotation, but has a history of struggling against the Yankees with a 4.63 ERA in 35 career starts (allowed 11 runs on 21 hits in his last 2 starts). Give me New York -116!
MLB Daily Line Drive: Thursday's Picks, Betting Odds and Analysis
Double-Play Picks
Los Angeles Angels at Detroit Tigers (-150, 8.5)
The Angels and Tigers wrap up their three-game series in Detroit on Thursday afternoon with a pretty decent pitching matchup. The Angels will send J.C. Ramirez to the mound while the Tigers will counter with Michael Fulmer.
Fulmer has been good this season with a 6-3 record (7-4 team win/loss) but he has really earned his money pitching at home at Comerica Park. Fulmer is 3-0 in five home starts in 2017 (team win/loss 4-1) and he owns a very tidy 1.12 WHIP in those five starts. Dating back to last season, the Tigers have won seven of Fulmer's last eight home outings.
Ramirez and Fulmer faced off head-to-head earlier this season in Anaheim and the Tigers walked away with a 7-1 victory. Fulmer went seven strong three-hit innings while J.C. was banged around for five earned over seven innings, including two home runs.
The Angels are not a good team on the road at only 12-20 and the Tigers are hot having won five of their last six games overall. And, of course, no Mike Trout for the Angels will always be a factor.
Pick: Tigers -160
Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals (+170, 9)
The Astros have had a strange series in Kansas City and it wraps up today with Lance McCullers taking the mound against Jason Hammel in Game 4.
The Astros won the opener (extending their road winning streak to 11 games) but dropped Game 2 when their bullpen blew a big lead and lost Game 3 when Dallas Keuchel was scratched just hours before his scheduled start with an illness.
Things will get back on track tonight with "Mr. Dependable" Lance McCullers climbing the hill at Kauffman Stadium. The Astros are 10-2 in his 12 starts this season and he has been especially great lately with only five earned runs allowed over his last six starts.
Jason Hammel has been awful for the Royals this season with a team win/loss record of 2-9, an ERA of 5.93, and an opponent's on base percentage of a lofty .358.
The Astros are, of course, the top road team in baseball at 22-8 this season and they are big chalk this evening in Kansas City. We would normally hesitate taking a runline favorite on the road, but when you dig into the numbers you learn that in the 22 road wins the Astros have put on the board this season, they have covered -1.5 in 19 of those wins.
Pick: Astros -1.5 (-125)
Yesterday's Picks: 0-1
Season To Date: 56-45-6
Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking: Edinson Volquez, Miami Marlins (2-7, 3.79 ERA, $-501)
Call us simple, but when you throw the first no-hitter in Major League Baseball since April 2016, we immediately pencil you in as a streaking pitcher the next time your toes are on the rubber.
He’s absolutely had his struggles in the past, but over his last three starts the Marlins right-hander has been throwing fire. In those assignments, Volquez owns a 1.71 ERA, a .760 WHIP, and a opponent’s on base percentage of only .216 in three quality starts.
Volquez returns to the mound today at PNC Park where the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Marlins and the Pirates are favored at -140.
Slumping: Joe Ross, Washington Nationals (2-2, 7.34 ERA, $162)
Joe Ross has had a couple of good starts for the Nationals this season...and when we say couple, we mean two. Outside of those two starts he has been awful. Ross has made six starts so far this season and the OVER has cashed in five of them, the other was a push.
In his last two starts the righty has thrown seven innings, allowed 19 hits, 11 earned runs, and three home runs. All of that adds up to a 14.62 ERA. That qualifies as a slump.
Ross and the Washington Nationals host the Orioles today and are -140 chalk.
Thursday's Top Trends
* Over is 9-0 in David Price's last nine starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. BOS/NYY Total: 7.5.
* Under is 7-0 in the Tampa Bay Rays' last seven home games. CHW/TB Total: 8.
* The Chicago Cubs are 21-5 in Jon Lester's last 26 home starts. -180 today vs. Rockies.
* The Houston Astros are 9-1 in Lance McCullers Jr.'s last 10 starts vs. a team with a losing record. -190 today @ Royals.
Weather To Keep An Eye On
It looks like weather won’t be an issue anywhere today across Major League Baseball. There is no rain in the forecast and there isn’t any wind expected to reach double digits in any ballpark.
There has been a shift in wind at Wrigley Field with winds blowing out to center field, after a stretch of wind blowing in. The wind is expected to be a less than gusty 7 miles per hour at first pitch.
Ump Of The Day
Ed Hickox will be behind the plate today in Milwaukee where the Giants are in town, and Brewers fans should rejoice. Hickox has had a taste for home cooking so far this season.
The home team has won seven of his last eight games wearing the pads and based on our Covers Umpire Money table has earned home team bettors $511 (based on a $100 wager per start).
The Brewers are +128 dogs at home with Johnny Cuteo on the mound for San Francisco against Brewers Paolo Espino.
Double-Play Picks
Los Angeles Angels at Detroit Tigers (-150, 8.5)
The Angels and Tigers wrap up their three-game series in Detroit on Thursday afternoon with a pretty decent pitching matchup. The Angels will send J.C. Ramirez to the mound while the Tigers will counter with Michael Fulmer.
Fulmer has been good this season with a 6-3 record (7-4 team win/loss) but he has really earned his money pitching at home at Comerica Park. Fulmer is 3-0 in five home starts in 2017 (team win/loss 4-1) and he owns a very tidy 1.12 WHIP in those five starts. Dating back to last season, the Tigers have won seven of Fulmer's last eight home outings.
Ramirez and Fulmer faced off head-to-head earlier this season in Anaheim and the Tigers walked away with a 7-1 victory. Fulmer went seven strong three-hit innings while J.C. was banged around for five earned over seven innings, including two home runs.
The Angels are not a good team on the road at only 12-20 and the Tigers are hot having won five of their last six games overall. And, of course, no Mike Trout for the Angels will always be a factor.
Pick: Tigers -160
Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals (+170, 9)
The Astros have had a strange series in Kansas City and it wraps up today with Lance McCullers taking the mound against Jason Hammel in Game 4.
The Astros won the opener (extending their road winning streak to 11 games) but dropped Game 2 when their bullpen blew a big lead and lost Game 3 when Dallas Keuchel was scratched just hours before his scheduled start with an illness.
Things will get back on track tonight with "Mr. Dependable" Lance McCullers climbing the hill at Kauffman Stadium. The Astros are 10-2 in his 12 starts this season and he has been especially great lately with only five earned runs allowed over his last six starts.
Jason Hammel has been awful for the Royals this season with a team win/loss record of 2-9, an ERA of 5.93, and an opponent's on base percentage of a lofty .358.
The Astros are, of course, the top road team in baseball at 22-8 this season and they are big chalk this evening in Kansas City. We would normally hesitate taking a runline favorite on the road, but when you dig into the numbers you learn that in the 22 road wins the Astros have put on the board this season, they have covered -1.5 in 19 of those wins.
Pick: Astros -1.5 (-125)
Yesterday's Picks: 0-1
Season To Date: 56-45-6
Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking: Edinson Volquez, Miami Marlins (2-7, 3.79 ERA, $-501)
Call us simple, but when you throw the first no-hitter in Major League Baseball since April 2016, we immediately pencil you in as a streaking pitcher the next time your toes are on the rubber.
He’s absolutely had his struggles in the past, but over his last three starts the Marlins right-hander has been throwing fire. In those assignments, Volquez owns a 1.71 ERA, a .760 WHIP, and a opponent’s on base percentage of only .216 in three quality starts.
Volquez returns to the mound today at PNC Park where the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Marlins and the Pirates are favored at -140.
Slumping: Joe Ross, Washington Nationals (2-2, 7.34 ERA, $162)
Joe Ross has had a couple of good starts for the Nationals this season...and when we say couple, we mean two. Outside of those two starts he has been awful. Ross has made six starts so far this season and the OVER has cashed in five of them, the other was a push.
In his last two starts the righty has thrown seven innings, allowed 19 hits, 11 earned runs, and three home runs. All of that adds up to a 14.62 ERA. That qualifies as a slump.
Ross and the Washington Nationals host the Orioles today and are -140 chalk.
Thursday's Top Trends
* Over is 9-0 in David Price's last nine starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. BOS/NYY Total: 7.5.
* Under is 7-0 in the Tampa Bay Rays' last seven home games. CHW/TB Total: 8.
* The Chicago Cubs are 21-5 in Jon Lester's last 26 home starts. -180 today vs. Rockies.
* The Houston Astros are 9-1 in Lance McCullers Jr.'s last 10 starts vs. a team with a losing record. -190 today @ Royals.
Weather To Keep An Eye On
It looks like weather won’t be an issue anywhere today across Major League Baseball. There is no rain in the forecast and there isn’t any wind expected to reach double digits in any ballpark.
There has been a shift in wind at Wrigley Field with winds blowing out to center field, after a stretch of wind blowing in. The wind is expected to be a less than gusty 7 miles per hour at first pitch.
Ump Of The Day
Ed Hickox will be behind the plate today in Milwaukee where the Giants are in town, and Brewers fans should rejoice. Hickox has had a taste for home cooking so far this season.
The home team has won seven of his last eight games wearing the pads and based on our Covers Umpire Money table has earned home team bettors $511 (based on a $100 wager per start).
The Brewers are +128 dogs at home with Johnny Cuteo on the mound for San Francisco against Brewers Paolo Espino.
Wunderdog
Boston vs. New York
Pick: New York -113
Boston and New York play the rubber match of their three-game series following an 8-0 win by CC Sabathia and the Yankees on Wednesday night. The Red Sox managed just five hits and the final 15 batters went down in order. Michael Pineda will try to bounce back from a rare poor outing at Toronto on Friday after the Yankees had won eight of his previous nine starts. Pineda is 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA at home this season and New York is 18-9 at Yankee Stadium and 29-14 at home dating to last season. The Red Sox are just 15-16 on the road and David Price will make his third start after coming off the disabled list. Price has given up four runs, including two homers, in 12 innings. Price is 5-6 with a 5.93 ERA versus the Yanks the last three years. The Yankees have won six of the last seven meetings, including five of the last six at New York.
Boston vs. New York
Pick: New York -113
Boston and New York play the rubber match of their three-game series following an 8-0 win by CC Sabathia and the Yankees on Wednesday night. The Red Sox managed just five hits and the final 15 batters went down in order. Michael Pineda will try to bounce back from a rare poor outing at Toronto on Friday after the Yankees had won eight of his previous nine starts. Pineda is 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA at home this season and New York is 18-9 at Yankee Stadium and 29-14 at home dating to last season. The Red Sox are just 15-16 on the road and David Price will make his third start after coming off the disabled list. Price has given up four runs, including two homers, in 12 innings. Price is 5-6 with a 5.93 ERA versus the Yanks the last three years. The Yankees have won six of the last seven meetings, including five of the last six at New York.
Bruce Marshall
Boston at New York
Pick:Boston
If David Price is really back to his old self as his most-recent start suggested, then the Bosox might be a bargain tonight at this price., Price was sharp last Saturday at Baltimore, allowing just one run and three hits thru 7 IP of an eventual 3-1 win, his best effort since being activated in late May, Meanwhile, Yanks starter Michael Pineda has allowed 8 homers in his last six starts, and was raked in his last outing June 2 at Toronto, allowing 5 runs and 10 hits in just 5 IP of a 7-5 loss.
Boston at New York
Pick:Boston
If David Price is really back to his old self as his most-recent start suggested, then the Bosox might be a bargain tonight at this price., Price was sharp last Saturday at Baltimore, allowing just one run and three hits thru 7 IP of an eventual 3-1 win, his best effort since being activated in late May, Meanwhile, Yanks starter Michael Pineda has allowed 8 homers in his last six starts, and was raked in his last outing June 2 at Toronto, allowing 5 runs and 10 hits in just 5 IP of a 7-5 loss.
Andrew Lange
Philadelphia at Atlanta
Play: Over 9.5
When FanGraphs published Philadelphia's "Top 33" prospects prior to the season, Ben Lively was listed under "other prospects of note." Lively has had some success at the Minor League level but the consensus is that he'll have trouble against MLB hitters. In his debut, he allowed only 1 run over 7 innings against San Francisco. He didn't fan a single batter however and had only five swinging strikes. All signs point towards Lively's ceiling being that of a lower-tier NL starter. RA Dickey's long career lookings to be coming to an end. Despite the switch back to the National League, Dickey's K rate is down over 2 per 9 innings (4.41) while his walk rate is a career-worst 4.68. And those numbers get even worse when you look at recent outings (L4 starts, 22.2 IP, 31 hits, 16 BBs, 10 Ks, 6.75 ERA). The Braves won six of his 11 starts but needed to score 4, 7, 9, 7, 6, and 6 runs to do so. And both bullpens grade out as below average, especially Philadelphia's that chose to use a position player in last night's 14-1 loss. The MLB betting markets have undergone a very noticeable transformation when it comes to totals. Games are lined a half and even as much as a full run higher than where they were the first month of the season. And if they haven't been adjusted to the over, bettors are quick to pound it that way. Atlanta a great example of this with 9/9.5 now the baseline total at SunTrust Park. But while adjustments have been made and the value less than it was, there is still reason to look at some of these games over, including tonight's game with two suspect starters. Note that Atlanta has played six games lined 9.5 or higher. Five of those contests went over the total. And Philadelphia, under the same parameters, is 5-0 O/U.
Philadelphia at Atlanta
Play: Over 9.5
When FanGraphs published Philadelphia's "Top 33" prospects prior to the season, Ben Lively was listed under "other prospects of note." Lively has had some success at the Minor League level but the consensus is that he'll have trouble against MLB hitters. In his debut, he allowed only 1 run over 7 innings against San Francisco. He didn't fan a single batter however and had only five swinging strikes. All signs point towards Lively's ceiling being that of a lower-tier NL starter. RA Dickey's long career lookings to be coming to an end. Despite the switch back to the National League, Dickey's K rate is down over 2 per 9 innings (4.41) while his walk rate is a career-worst 4.68. And those numbers get even worse when you look at recent outings (L4 starts, 22.2 IP, 31 hits, 16 BBs, 10 Ks, 6.75 ERA). The Braves won six of his 11 starts but needed to score 4, 7, 9, 7, 6, and 6 runs to do so. And both bullpens grade out as below average, especially Philadelphia's that chose to use a position player in last night's 14-1 loss. The MLB betting markets have undergone a very noticeable transformation when it comes to totals. Games are lined a half and even as much as a full run higher than where they were the first month of the season. And if they haven't been adjusted to the over, bettors are quick to pound it that way. Atlanta a great example of this with 9/9.5 now the baseline total at SunTrust Park. But while adjustments have been made and the value less than it was, there is still reason to look at some of these games over, including tonight's game with two suspect starters. Note that Atlanta has played six games lined 9.5 or higher. Five of those contests went over the total. And Philadelphia, under the same parameters, is 5-0 O/U.
The Prez
Houston at Kansas City
Play: Houston -1.5
The Houston Astros aim to end a two-game skid at the "K" on Thursday night when they square off against the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Kauffman Stadium with Houston's Lance McCullers Jr. (6-1, 2.71 ERA) opposing KC's Jason Hammel (2-6, 5.93).
The Houston Astros not only own the best record in baseball they also are the best offensive team in the American League. When the Stroh's are facing off against right-handed pitching they are even more productive.
The offensively challenged Royals have made adjustments to their lineup that has resulted in them being more effective at the plate. Kansas City has recorded 16 runs in the two straight victories over the Astros but much of that should be contributed to the pitching staff that Houston has thrown to the mound over the last two nights.
Tonight the Astros aim to split the four-game set by sending out strike-thrower McCullers. The Houston righty is 4-0 in his last five trips to the mound and while his surface numbers suggest he is as good outside of Minute Maid Park (5-9 with a 4.49 ERA in 22 career road starts) this year McCullers has evened out his home and road splits and is 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA in six tries as a visitor.
KC righty, Hammel, has been the major disappointment on a decent Kansas City starting staff. Hammel did stop a four-game stretch of losses or no-decisions in his last turn, a win over the Cleveland Indians. Hammel's history against the Strohs appears satisfactory with a 2-2 mark and 3.09 ERA over seven starts but those numbers come with sub-par underlying peripherals including a near 80 percent hard contact rate when comparing his work against tonight's projected batting order.
Houston at Kansas City
Play: Houston -1.5
The Houston Astros aim to end a two-game skid at the "K" on Thursday night when they square off against the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Kauffman Stadium with Houston's Lance McCullers Jr. (6-1, 2.71 ERA) opposing KC's Jason Hammel (2-6, 5.93).
The Houston Astros not only own the best record in baseball they also are the best offensive team in the American League. When the Stroh's are facing off against right-handed pitching they are even more productive.
The offensively challenged Royals have made adjustments to their lineup that has resulted in them being more effective at the plate. Kansas City has recorded 16 runs in the two straight victories over the Astros but much of that should be contributed to the pitching staff that Houston has thrown to the mound over the last two nights.
Tonight the Astros aim to split the four-game set by sending out strike-thrower McCullers. The Houston righty is 4-0 in his last five trips to the mound and while his surface numbers suggest he is as good outside of Minute Maid Park (5-9 with a 4.49 ERA in 22 career road starts) this year McCullers has evened out his home and road splits and is 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA in six tries as a visitor.
KC righty, Hammel, has been the major disappointment on a decent Kansas City starting staff. Hammel did stop a four-game stretch of losses or no-decisions in his last turn, a win over the Cleveland Indians. Hammel's history against the Strohs appears satisfactory with a 2-2 mark and 3.09 ERA over seven starts but those numbers come with sub-par underlying peripherals including a near 80 percent hard contact rate when comparing his work against tonight's projected batting order.
Harry Bondi
NY YANKEES (-115) over Boston
Yankees send Michael Pineda to the hill in the Bronx tonight and he has been lights out at home. He is undefeated in the house that Ruth built this season and sports an outstanding 2.31 ERA and sensational 0.897 WHIP in 6 starts at home. David Price has pitched well since returning to the rotation but has a history of choking in big games and has struggled against the Yankees with a 4.63 ERA in 35 career starts. New York takes the series.
NY YANKEES (-115) over Boston
Yankees send Michael Pineda to the hill in the Bronx tonight and he has been lights out at home. He is undefeated in the house that Ruth built this season and sports an outstanding 2.31 ERA and sensational 0.897 WHIP in 6 starts at home. David Price has pitched well since returning to the rotation but has a history of choking in big games and has struggled against the Yankees with a 4.63 ERA in 35 career starts. New York takes the series.
