Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Thursday
ORIOLES (Jimenez) at TWINS (Gibson) 7:10 PM
Take: ORIOLES +100
Gulp. Yeah, I’m actually advocating a play on one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball.
Ubaldo Jimenez will be on the mound tonight at Target Field as the Orioles and Twins make up a game that was postponed earlier this season.
There is no way I will try to even remotely defend backing Ubaldo. He’s a horror show. Meanwhile, Kyle Gibson has been reasonably good lately for the Twins. So, if you’re just looking at the hurlers, making the case that Gibson should be the choice is completely understandable.
This play is all about the teams involved, and not the two starting pitchers. The Twins are terrible, and I don’t believe there’s any circumstance in which they should be favored over the Orioles. Granted, Baltimore has been a mediocre road team. But they’re still a first place team that has been having around the .600 plateau for most of the season. Meanwhile, the Twins have been one of the two worst teams in the game for the entire campaign.
And that’s about the story as far as this game goes. If I’m going to have an opportunity to get even money or thereabouts with a very solid Orioles entry against the pathetic Twins, it’s likely a buy sign for me. Add in the fact that Minnesota has lost three straight, including back to back home games to the even more lowly Braves, and I’ll take my chances. Even with the dreadful Ubaldo on the mound, I’m siding with the Orioles tonight.
Bonus Play Thursday
ORIOLES (Jimenez) at TWINS (Gibson) 7:10 PM
Take: ORIOLES +100
Gulp. Yeah, I’m actually advocating a play on one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball.
Ubaldo Jimenez will be on the mound tonight at Target Field as the Orioles and Twins make up a game that was postponed earlier this season.
There is no way I will try to even remotely defend backing Ubaldo. He’s a horror show. Meanwhile, Kyle Gibson has been reasonably good lately for the Twins. So, if you’re just looking at the hurlers, making the case that Gibson should be the choice is completely understandable.
This play is all about the teams involved, and not the two starting pitchers. The Twins are terrible, and I don’t believe there’s any circumstance in which they should be favored over the Orioles. Granted, Baltimore has been a mediocre road team. But they’re still a first place team that has been having around the .600 plateau for most of the season. Meanwhile, the Twins have been one of the two worst teams in the game for the entire campaign.
And that’s about the story as far as this game goes. If I’m going to have an opportunity to get even money or thereabouts with a very solid Orioles entry against the pathetic Twins, it’s likely a buy sign for me. Add in the fact that Minnesota has lost three straight, including back to back home games to the even more lowly Braves, and I’ll take my chances. Even with the dreadful Ubaldo on the mound, I’m siding with the Orioles tonight.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, July 28, 2016
Your Bonus Play for Thursday, July 28, 2016 is in the baseball contest between the Boston Red Sox and the Angels in Anaheim. Boston has the top offense in baseball in runs, on base percentage and slugging. The Over is 23-9-1 against a losing record, as well as 20-6 over versus the AL West. They are not a great road team because of suspect pitching and "ace" David Price has been hit hard much of the season. He has a losing road record with a 4.77 ERA. Price comes off Saturday's 11-9 loss to the Twins, giving up five earned runs on 11 hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. Although he didn't give up any homers, Price pitched to a considerable amount of contact. He also fell behind early in the count frequently, notching first-pitch strikes on only 13 of 27 hitters and inducing a mere seven swinging strikes. Price was responsible for over half of the Twins' 19 hits on the night, and has now given up 11 hits in back-to-back starts. The Over is 7-3 in Price's last 10 starts vs. a team with a losing record. LA is home with an offense that is picking up, on a 5-2-2 run over the total. Jered Weaver has allowed 12 runs in his last eight innings over two starts to raise his ERA to 5.32.
Play the Red Sox/Angels Over the total.
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, July 28, 2016
Your Bonus Play for Thursday, July 28, 2016 is in the baseball contest between the Boston Red Sox and the Angels in Anaheim. Boston has the top offense in baseball in runs, on base percentage and slugging. The Over is 23-9-1 against a losing record, as well as 20-6 over versus the AL West. They are not a great road team because of suspect pitching and "ace" David Price has been hit hard much of the season. He has a losing road record with a 4.77 ERA. Price comes off Saturday's 11-9 loss to the Twins, giving up five earned runs on 11 hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. Although he didn't give up any homers, Price pitched to a considerable amount of contact. He also fell behind early in the count frequently, notching first-pitch strikes on only 13 of 27 hitters and inducing a mere seven swinging strikes. Price was responsible for over half of the Twins' 19 hits on the night, and has now given up 11 hits in back-to-back starts. The Over is 7-3 in Price's last 10 starts vs. a team with a losing record. LA is home with an offense that is picking up, on a 5-2-2 run over the total. Jered Weaver has allowed 12 runs in his last eight innings over two starts to raise his ERA to 5.32.
Play the Red Sox/Angels Over the total.
Stephen Nover
Diamondbacks vs Brewers
Bonus Play Milwaukee Brewers
Unlike other sports, motivation rarely counts in handicapping baseball. But once in a while it can factor. Couple that with a strong pitching/bullpen edge, a key under-the-radar injury and fair price and the Brewers become an investment today.
Did you say lay a price with the rebuilding Brewers, owners of a 43-56 record?
Yes. Much sets up well for Milwaukee here. The Brewers are home to Arizona, who are even worse at 42-59. The pitching matchup is lefty Robbie Ray against Zach Davies. Ray is the bigger strikeout pitcher and has more name recognition. Davies is the better pitcher. More on that shortly.
Milwaukee owns a winning home mark and is 18-14 versus southpaws. Arizona is 2-9 in its last 11 road games. One of those victories, though, came Wednesday night when the Diamondbacks embarrassed the Brewers, 8-1.
Actually the Brewers embarrassed themselves by playing their worst game of the season. I know that's saying a lot when talking Brewers baseball. Certainly it was their sloppiest game of the season with base running mistakes and five errors, the most they've made in a game since 2007.
I have to think the Brewers come out with more incentive than normally attached to a regular-season game especially in front of their loyal and patient fan base.
None of this would matter, though, if the pitching matchup wasn't in Milwaukee's favor, too.
Davies started the season in awful fashion giving up 13 runs in 13 1/3 innings during his first three starts. Since then, the right-hander has gone 7-1 with a 2.84 ERA holding opponents to a .217 batting average. He's 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his last three starts.
Ray is flashier and more highly-touted. Like the rest of the Arizona pitching staff, Ray has disappointed. He hasn't been at the absolute brutal level of Shelby Miller and Patrick Corbin, but his 5-9 record and 4.53 ERA isn't winning any awards. Ray is 1-4 with a 4.72 ERA in his last six starts.
The Diamondbacks may now own the worst bullpen in the National League after dealing closer Brad Ziegler. By contrast, the Brewers could have the most underrated late-inning relief in the majors with Will Smith, Tyler Thornburg and closer Jeremy Jeffress.
Arizona has lost 17 of the past 21 times it has gone against a righty starter. The Diamondbacks are likely to be missing left-handed slugging third baseman Jake Lamb, who leads the team in homers with 21 and is tied for first in RBIs with Paul Goldschmidt. He's been sidelined with a hand injury and isn't expected to return until Friday.
Diamondbacks vs Brewers
Bonus Play Milwaukee Brewers
Unlike other sports, motivation rarely counts in handicapping baseball. But once in a while it can factor. Couple that with a strong pitching/bullpen edge, a key under-the-radar injury and fair price and the Brewers become an investment today.
Did you say lay a price with the rebuilding Brewers, owners of a 43-56 record?
Yes. Much sets up well for Milwaukee here. The Brewers are home to Arizona, who are even worse at 42-59. The pitching matchup is lefty Robbie Ray against Zach Davies. Ray is the bigger strikeout pitcher and has more name recognition. Davies is the better pitcher. More on that shortly.
Milwaukee owns a winning home mark and is 18-14 versus southpaws. Arizona is 2-9 in its last 11 road games. One of those victories, though, came Wednesday night when the Diamondbacks embarrassed the Brewers, 8-1.
Actually the Brewers embarrassed themselves by playing their worst game of the season. I know that's saying a lot when talking Brewers baseball. Certainly it was their sloppiest game of the season with base running mistakes and five errors, the most they've made in a game since 2007.
I have to think the Brewers come out with more incentive than normally attached to a regular-season game especially in front of their loyal and patient fan base.
None of this would matter, though, if the pitching matchup wasn't in Milwaukee's favor, too.
Davies started the season in awful fashion giving up 13 runs in 13 1/3 innings during his first three starts. Since then, the right-hander has gone 7-1 with a 2.84 ERA holding opponents to a .217 batting average. He's 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his last three starts.
Ray is flashier and more highly-touted. Like the rest of the Arizona pitching staff, Ray has disappointed. He hasn't been at the absolute brutal level of Shelby Miller and Patrick Corbin, but his 5-9 record and 4.53 ERA isn't winning any awards. Ray is 1-4 with a 4.72 ERA in his last six starts.
The Diamondbacks may now own the worst bullpen in the National League after dealing closer Brad Ziegler. By contrast, the Brewers could have the most underrated late-inning relief in the majors with Will Smith, Tyler Thornburg and closer Jeremy Jeffress.
Arizona has lost 17 of the past 21 times it has gone against a righty starter. The Diamondbacks are likely to be missing left-handed slugging third baseman Jake Lamb, who leads the team in homers with 21 and is tied for first in RBIs with Paul Goldschmidt. He's been sidelined with a hand injury and isn't expected to return until Friday.
Scott Rickenbach
Milwaukee vs Arizona @ 2:10 ET
Bonus Play UNDER 9
The Brewers Zach Davies has pitched extremely well and has a 7-1 record and 2.84 ERA over his last 14 starts to show for it! He's been particularly sharp since the break with just 1 earned run allowed on only 7 hits in 13 and 1/3 innings spanning his two starts since the All Star Break. He has another edge here in that the Diamondbacks have never faced him. Arizona starter Robbie Ray also has that same edge today in that the Brewers have never faced him. Ray certainly does not have the same impressive stats that Davies does this season but Ray truly has pitched very well of late. The Dbacks southpaw has been piling up the strikeout with 32 in his 23 innings of work in the month of July. Also, the left-hander was simply done in by 3 unearned runs and a mistake pitch (a 3-run homer allowed) in his most recent start against the Reds. Overall since the break he has allowed just 3 earned runs on only 10 hits in his 12 innings of work while also striking out 17. The Brewers .392 slugging percentage against left-handers this season ranks them 26th out of the 30 teams. The under is 6-1 this season in Arizona's road games with a posted total of 9 or 9.5 runs. The under is 12-6 in Brewers games this month. Free Pick UNDER 9 in Milwaukee Thursday.
Milwaukee vs Arizona @ 2:10 ET
Bonus Play UNDER 9
The Brewers Zach Davies has pitched extremely well and has a 7-1 record and 2.84 ERA over his last 14 starts to show for it! He's been particularly sharp since the break with just 1 earned run allowed on only 7 hits in 13 and 1/3 innings spanning his two starts since the All Star Break. He has another edge here in that the Diamondbacks have never faced him. Arizona starter Robbie Ray also has that same edge today in that the Brewers have never faced him. Ray certainly does not have the same impressive stats that Davies does this season but Ray truly has pitched very well of late. The Dbacks southpaw has been piling up the strikeout with 32 in his 23 innings of work in the month of July. Also, the left-hander was simply done in by 3 unearned runs and a mistake pitch (a 3-run homer allowed) in his most recent start against the Reds. Overall since the break he has allowed just 3 earned runs on only 10 hits in his 12 innings of work while also striking out 17. The Brewers .392 slugging percentage against left-handers this season ranks them 26th out of the 30 teams. The under is 6-1 this season in Arizona's road games with a posted total of 9 or 9.5 runs. The under is 12-6 in Brewers games this month. Free Pick UNDER 9 in Milwaukee Thursday.
Scott Spreitzer
Diamondbacks vs Brewers
Bonus Play Milwaukee Brewers
'm recommending a play on the Brewers on Thursday afternoon. Jimmy Nelson and the Brewers had a meltdown last night as Arizona scored five runs in the top of the first and Milwaukee committed five errors. However, the Brewers have a great chance to bounce back from Wednesday's debacle with Zach Davies, who has allowed only three earned runs his last three starts in 20 innings. Davies is 5-1 with a 2.36 ERA in June and July and the Diamondbacks have never faced him. Robbie Ray is 5-9 with a 4.53 ERA and the Diamondbacks have lost 13 of Ray's last 16 road starts dating to last season. Milwaukee has won eight of its last 10 home games against southpaw starters and we'll back them here. The Brewers get the call on Thursday afternoon. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Diamondbacks vs Brewers
Bonus Play Milwaukee Brewers
'm recommending a play on the Brewers on Thursday afternoon. Jimmy Nelson and the Brewers had a meltdown last night as Arizona scored five runs in the top of the first and Milwaukee committed five errors. However, the Brewers have a great chance to bounce back from Wednesday's debacle with Zach Davies, who has allowed only three earned runs his last three starts in 20 innings. Davies is 5-1 with a 2.36 ERA in June and July and the Diamondbacks have never faced him. Robbie Ray is 5-9 with a 4.53 ERA and the Diamondbacks have lost 13 of Ray's last 16 road starts dating to last season. Milwaukee has won eight of its last 10 home games against southpaw starters and we'll back them here. The Brewers get the call on Thursday afternoon. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Mike Lundin
Royals vs Rangers
5* MLB Free Pick Texas Rangers
The Rangers took two of three from the Royals in Kansas City last week. I like Texas as the teams open a four-game set at Arlington Thursday night.
Cole Hamels (11-2, 2.87) takes the ball for Texas. He hasn't allowed an earned run in his last two starts, and that includes 5 1/3 innings against the Royals his last time out. Rangers are 13-3 in Hamels' last 16 home starts and 8-1 in Hamels' last nine home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
The Royals turn to Yordano Ventura (6-8, 4.99 ERA) who is 2-3 with a 4.94 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers after surrendering three runs and three hits with four walks through five innings when tossing opposite Hamels last week. The Royals have lost each of his last five starts and he's 2-5 with a 5.26 ERA in 10 road starts this season.
Kansas City ended a four-game skid with a 7-5 victory against the Halos on Wednesday, but it's 0-7 in its last seven games following a win.
Royals vs Rangers
5* MLB Free Pick Texas Rangers
The Rangers took two of three from the Royals in Kansas City last week. I like Texas as the teams open a four-game set at Arlington Thursday night.
Cole Hamels (11-2, 2.87) takes the ball for Texas. He hasn't allowed an earned run in his last two starts, and that includes 5 1/3 innings against the Royals his last time out. Rangers are 13-3 in Hamels' last 16 home starts and 8-1 in Hamels' last nine home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
The Royals turn to Yordano Ventura (6-8, 4.99 ERA) who is 2-3 with a 4.94 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers after surrendering three runs and three hits with four walks through five innings when tossing opposite Hamels last week. The Royals have lost each of his last five starts and he's 2-5 with a 5.26 ERA in 10 road starts this season.
Kansas City ended a four-game skid with a 7-5 victory against the Halos on Wednesday, but it's 0-7 in its last seven games following a win.
