Wednesday 4/6/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

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Preview: Dodgers (2-0) at Padres (0-2)

Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: April 06, 2016 9:10 PM EDT

Kenta Maeda has yet to throw an official pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they're already swooning over their latest import.

Maeda attempts to begin living up to those lofty expectations as he tries to help the Dodgers complete a season-opening three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.

Maeda went 97-67 with a 2.39 ERA in 218 career games over eight seasons with the Hiroshima Carp in Japan. The right-hander was particularly dominant over the second half of that stretch, compiling a 2.07 ERA and a 55-31 record.

That was impressive enough for Los Angeles to pay a $20 million posting fee and sign Maeda to an eight-year, $25 million contract over the winter.

So far, the Dodgers think that's a bargain after Maeda posted a 2.35 ERA in six starts during spring training.

"He's as good, if not better, than advertised," manager Dave Roberts told MLB's official website. "His transition to this point has been pretty seamless."

Maeda allowed two runs and three hits in four innings in his final spring outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

"Physically I feel great. I feel pretty confident about my pitches," Maeda said through a translator. "I've been able to throw the way I wanted to throw. I'm ready to go."

He should be considering the Padres have only managed six hits through the first two games. Clayton Kershaw limited them to one in seven innings of Monday's 15-0 victory before Scott Kazmir did the same over six in a 3-0 win the following day in his Dodgers debut.

"I don't think this is the way anyone draws it up," Padres manager Andy Green said. "This isn't what we are looking to do. But it happens when guys want it really bad. Every single guy wants to break the seal for us and get us going and it just hasn't happened for us yet."

Success at the plate is usually fleeting against the Dodgers, who have won eight straight meetings against San Diego behind a 1.38 ERA with 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

In fact, the last time Los Angeles started a season with a three-game winning streak, it came in 2012 at Petco Park.

Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager is off to a strong start in his first full season in the majors, going 4 for 9 with two doubles and two RBIs. He's 13 for 30 with four doubles, one homer and seven RBIs in eight career meetings with the Padres.

Andrew Cashner takes the ball looking to slow Seager and the Dodgers in his season debut. He has a 2.08 ERA in 10 starts against them, but only has a 1-4 record to show for it since he's been backed by 16 total runs.

The right-hander went 6-16 with a 4.34 ERA last year, matching his loss total from the two previous seasons.

Cashner had a 4.64 ERA in six starts during spring training. He allowed one run and two hits in three innings of his final tune-up Friday against the Chicago White Sox.

"I liked the way he was as much as I've liked him at any other time, especially the way he finished up," Green said. "... I thought his fastball location was as good as it's been all spring, and I liked where his sinker was."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (2-0) at Athletics (0-2)

Game: 3
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: April 06, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

Following a bout with the flu, Sonny Gray is finally ready to make his season debut for the Oakland Athletics.

He'll try to help keep the A's from their first 0-3 start in 20 years Wednesday night against the visiting Chicago White Sox, who haven't opened with three straight wins in more than two decades.

The ace of Oakland's staff, Gray was tabbed to start Monday's opener but was scratched after becoming ill with what he originally thought was food poisoning. The right-hander, who went 14-7 and was third in the AL with a 2.73 ERA in 31 starts last season, ended up in the hospital to receive intravenous fluids Monday morning.

"It was a 24-hour bug that a lot of guys have gotten," Gray told MLB's official website. "I just so happened to get it on the wrong day."

Fellow starter Kendall Graveman is also dealing with the flu but still expected to pitch in the series finale Thursday.

'I've had this Purell hand dispenser in here for years and now everybody doesn't think I'm so crazy,' Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. 'We had (head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta) address the team and go over what we can try to do to combat that. We're going to do the best we can.'

Gray was unsuccessful in lobbying Melvin to start Monday, and while he understood the decision, the right-hander was not pleased to watch Oakland lose 4-3.

"I was upset and unhappy, and a lot of people can say they were, but I can guarantee they weren't more upset than I was," Gray said. "In the grand scheme of it, it was one game and I'll be able to take the mound (Wednesday). I'm pretty excited to get out there."

Gray will try to prevent the A's from opening with three straight losses for the first time since 1996. He's posted an 8.10 ERA without earning a decision in two starts against the White Sox, but both came at Chicago.

After Oakland rallied for two runs in the eighth inning to tie Tuesday's game, Jimmy Rollins homered in the ninth to give the White Sox a 5-4 victory. Todd Frazier clubbed a three-run shot for his first homer with Chicago, which last started 3-0 in 1992.

It's won six in a row at Oakland, which went 19-35 in one-run games last season.

"I don't know if that's the way you draw it up, but it's a nice team win,' said White Sox manager Robin Ventura, who is one victory shy of 300.

The White Sox hand the ball to Carlos Rodon, who went 5-2 with a 1.81 ERA over the final eight starts of his 2015 rookie season. The left-hander struck out 139 - second-most in club history for a rookie - while going 9-6 with a 3.75 ERA in 23 starts.

He gave up five runs and walked six in four-plus innings while not factoring in the decision of a 7-6 victory at Oakland last May.

Adam Eaton is 1 for 6 against Gray, but 5 for 8 in the series.

"If I can put the ball in play more often, good things happen," Chicago's leadoff hitter said. "I've learned from that. I've learned what those holes are and how I can improve."

Oakland's Jed Lowrie is 3 for 8 with four RBIs in the two games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, April 6, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

You 100 percent can't take anything as gospel from one regular-season baseball game, but wow I'd be concerned right now if I bet on the Arizona Diamondbacks to win the NL West and went over their wins total for the 2016 season. I liked the Snakes a fair amount this season with the offseason additions of Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller. I liked them a lot less after learning that All-Star and Gold Glove outfielder A.J. Pollock, a rising star, might miss the season with a broken elbow. That's crushing news. Then on Monday, Greinke was battered by the Colorado Rockies for seven runs and nine hits in just four innings. To be fair, he was supposedly pitching with the flu.

Giants at Brewers (+125, 8.5)

It's the San Francisco debut of Jeff Samardzija, and he clearly needed a return to the National League as he was pummeled often last season with the Chicago White Sox. He had career-worsts in ERA (4.96), strikeout percentage (18 percent) and opponent OPS (.765). "Shark" tied for the most homers allowed in the AL with 29 and led the league in hits and earned runs allowed. But the guy is durable and has plus stuff and that's why San Francisco gave him $90 million. Samardzija is 0-3 with a 6.30 ERA in 13 career games at Miller Park. This was to be Matt Garza's spot in the rotation for Milwaukee, but to no surprise he's hurt again and on the DL. Thus it goes to Taylor Jungmann. He was a very nice surprise as a rookie, getting called up in early June and staying there by going 9-8 with a 3.77 ERA. He didn't face the Giants. The only San Francisco batter who has faced him is Denard Span, who is 2-for-2.

Key trends: The Brewers are 4-1 in Jungmann's past five home starts. The "over/under" has gone under in six of his past eight in Game 3 of a series.

Early lean: Brewers and under.

Phillies at Reds (-132, 8)

ESPN2 game and should have live betting at sportsbooks. If I'm being honest, I'm not planning to preview a ton of Phillies or Reds games this season as both are going to be wretched. But, sometimes you have to tear it all down to get good again. And the Phillies have a few really good-looking young players -- one starts here in Aaron Nola. He was 6-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 13 late-season starts in 2015 as a rookie. Nola doesn't throw real hard but has great control and induces a lot of ground balls. He has not faced the Reds. Cincinnati opened the season with its entire projected rotation on the DL. The Reds start Brandon Finnegan here. He was acquired last July from Kansas City in the Johnny Cueto deal. Finnegan was 2-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 23.2 innings with the Reds. Finnegan has never faced the Phillies.

Key trends: The Phillies are 1-4 in Nola's past five starts. The Reds are 2-9 in their past 11 vs. a right-handed starter. The under is 5-2-1 Cincinnati's past eight following an off day.

Early lean: Phillies and under.

Twins at Orioles (-127, 8.5)

What is it with the Twins and Opening Day? They lost 3-2 in Baltimore on Monday (teams off on Tuesday), the team's eighth straight season-opening loss. It was Baltimore's sixth Game 1 win in a row. Minnesota turns to Kyle Gibson here. He was the team's most consistent starter last season, posting a 3.84 ERA (11-11 record) in a team-leading 32 starts. Gibson was also was great this spring. He faced Baltimore twice in 2015, going 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA. Chris Davis is 0-for-5 off him with three strikeouts. J.J. Hardy is 2-for-5 with a homer. It's new Oriole Yovani Gallardo for the Birds. The team originally signed him for three years in free agency but then it was restructured to two years because the O's didn't like something in his physical. Gallardo started last year strong with Texas but he struggled in the second half with a 1.72 WHIP and lasting six innings just twice in 14 starts. He was 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA overall and threw 5.2 shutout innings in his lone start vs. Minnesota.

Key trends: The Twins are 3-9 in Gibson's past 12 vs. the AL East. The Orioles are 6-1 in their past seven after an off day. The over is 4-1 in Gibson's past five against the AL East.

Early lean: Orioles and over.

Nationals at Braves (+178, 7.5)

It's the first start of what is widely expected to be the final season in Washington for Stephen Strasburg. He was very shaky in his first 10 starts last year and then landed on the DL. In his final 13 starts, he had a 1.76 ERA and struck out 110 against just 12 walks. Strasburg finished 11-7 overall with a 3.46 ERA. He faced Atlanta twice and was 2-0 without allowing an earned run in 11.0 innings and striking out 13. Freddie Freeman is 12-for-28 career off him with three homers and nine RBIs. Atlanta starts journeyman Bud Norris, who is simply a placeholder until some of the team's young pitching prospects are ready. He was an ugly 3-11 with a 6.72 ERA with San Diego and Baltimore last year. Bryce Harper is 0-for-2 career off him. Maybe Stephen Drew gets a spot start as he's 9-for-25 with five extra-base hits off Norris.

Key trends: The Nats are 4-0 in Strasburg's past four vs. the NL East. The Braves are 5-16 in their past 21 in Game 2 of a series. The under is 6-0 in Strasburg's past six on the road.

Early lean: Nationals on runline and under.

White Sox at A's (-133, 7)

Your latest first pitch at 10 p.m. ET and also shown on ESPN2. Chicago goes with second-year lefty Carlos Rodon (9-6, 3.75), who is many ways is the key to this team in 2015 following Chris Sale and Jose Quintana on the rotation. Rodon was very inconsistent until about August last year. But he went 5-2 with a 1.81 ERA in his final eight starts. Rodon's spring ERA was nearly 8.00, though. Oakland's Josh Reddick is 1-for-2 with three RBIs off him career. The A's go with ace Sonny Gray (14-7, 2.73 ERA), who was third in last year's Cy Young voting. He was to start the season opener on Monday opposite Sale in a great matchup, but Gray was hospitalized with food poisoning. His worst start of 2015 was vs. the White Sox, allowing seven runs and eight hits in three innings in Chicago. Jose Abreu is 2-for-6 with a homer and four RBIs off Gray.

Key trends: The Sox are 1-6 in their past seven Wednesday games. Oakland is 5-2 in Gray's past seven at home. The under has hit in five of Rodon's past seven on the road.

Early lean: A's and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Wednesday's games

National League games

Giants @ Brewers
Samardzija was 2-0, 1.13 in his last two starts LY; over is 7-3 in his last 10 starts. He is 0-3, 6.30 in 13 games (six starts) at Miller Park.

Jungmann is 0-3, 9.93 in his last five starts; this is his first start against the Giants.

Giants won seven of last eight games with Milwaukee.

Rockies @ Diamondacks
Chatwood is 2-1, 4.38 in his last six starts; he is 2-0, 4.15 in three starts against the Diamondbacks.

Corbin is 3-2, 3.07 in his last seven starts; five of his last seven starts stayed under the total. he is 5-1, 4.30 in 10 career starts against Colorado.

Colorado is 7-14 in its last 21 games against the Diamondbacks.

Cardinals @ Pirates
Leake is 2-4, 4.42 in his last six starts; seven of his las ten starts stayed under total. He was 2-0, 2.03 in four starts against Pittsburgh LY.

Nicasio has started 70 MLB games; he started once in 53 games for the Dodgers LY. He is 1-2, 6.59 in six career games against the Cardinals (two starts).

Pirates are 5-3 in their last eight games against St Louis.

Nationals @ Braves
Strasburg is 3-0, 0.93 in his last four starts; three of his last four starts stayed under. Strasburg was 2-0, 0.00 (11 IP) against the Braves LY.

Norris is 0-3, 6.17 in his last four starts. His last start LY was June 29. He is 2-1, 5.33 in four starts vs Washington.

Washington won 15 of its last 20 games against the Braves.

Phillies @ Reds
Nola is 1-0, 2.63 in his last four starts (under 3-1). He has never faced Cincinnati.

Finnegan is 1-2, 5.63 in his last three starts; four of his last six starts stayed under. He has never faced the Phillies.

Philly lost five of last seven games with Cincinnati.

Dodgers @ Padres
Maeda is making his MLB debut here.

Cashner is 1-4, 5.49 in his last seven starts; he 0-3, 3.38 in four starts against the Dodgers LY.

Dodgers are 16-5 in their last 21 games against San Diego; they shut the Padres out the first two games this week.


American League games

Astros @ Bronx
McHugh is 7-1, 3.86 in his last nine starts; over is 5-3-1 in his last nine. He is 2-0, 1.88 in two starts against the Bronx Bombers.

Pineda is 0-2, 10.24 in his last two starts; he is 0-2, 4.42 in three starts against the Astros.

Astros are 5-3 in their last eight games Bronx.

Blue Jays @ Rays
Happ is 7-1, 1.37 in his last nine starts; eight of his last ten starts stayed under total. vs Tampa Bay. He was 0-0, 2.08 in two starts against the Rays LY.

Moore is 2-0, 1.35 in his last four starts (under 3-1); starts against Toronto. He has a career mark of 5-2, 3.04 in nine starts against Toronto.

Jays won two of first three games of this series.

Red Sox @ Indians
Buchholz is 4-1, 2.10 in his last five starts; his last four starts stayed under the total. starts against Cleveland. He is 2-1, 4.13 in five career starts vs Cleveland.

Carrasco is 2-3, 4.56 in his last five starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six starts. He has never pitched against Boston.

Boston is 3-4 in its last seven games with Cleveland.

Mariners @ Rangers
Miley is 0-1, 4.68 in his last four starts; six of his last seven starts went over total. against the Rangers LY. He is 1-2, 3.86 in three starts against Texas.

Lewis is 3-1, 5.16 in his last five starts; his last four went over. starts against Seattle. He is 7-8, 3.91 in 20 career starts against Seattle.

Seattle is 13-8 in its last 21 games against the Rangers.

Twins @ Orioles
Gibson is 2-2, 3.93 in his last six starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight. He is 1-0, 2.70 in three career starts against the Orioles.

Gallardo is 2-0, 3.60 in his last three starts; under is 4-0-2 in his last six. He is 2-2, 3.14 in eight career starts against Minnesota.

Orioles snapped a 7-game skid against Minnesota Monday night.

White Sox @ A's
Rodon is 4-1, 2.48 in his last five starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight. He allowed five runs in four IP in his only career start vs Oakland.

Gray is 2-2, 6.61 in his last six starts; six of his last seven starts went over. He is 0-0, 8.10 (nine ER in 10 IP) in two career starts against the White Sox. Gray was scratched with food poisoning Monday, starts here instead.

Chicago won seven of last nine games against the A's.


Interleague games

Tigers @ Marlins
Former Marlin Sanchez is 0-3, 7.01 in his last five starts; over is 7-1-2 in his last ten. He is 2-5, 4.77 in ten career starts at Marlins Park.

Fernandez is 3-1, 3.03 in his last seven starts; six of his last nne starts went over the total. He is making his first career start vs Detroit.


Umpires- We'll start with umpires in a couple weeks, after we have some numbers to go over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Marlins even series'

Marlins nipped 8-7 in extra innings of the opener in this mini two game interleague set against Tigers look primed to even the series. Right-hander Jose Fernandez toes the rubber for Marlins this afternoon. History shows Jose Fernandez loves pitching in front of the friendly crowd at Marlins Park. In the righthanders 26 starts at the venue he is 17-0 with Miami 23-3 in those games. The dominance is reflected by the fact he's allowed an average 1.72 runs/game over the span with a 192-44 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He'll be trading pitches with Anibal Sanchez ridding a career 5-11 April team start record in road games.

According to current odds the Marlins are -$1.70 favorites in their own back yard. As always, a higher price on a game is cause to ratchet up the tension for a sports handicapper. However, having Fernandez on the mound is enough to conclude Marlins are the right choice. Marlins are 11-1 handing the ball to the hurler following a loss the previous effort.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wednesday's six-pack

Some unusual prop bets for The Masters this week........

-- Winning score: 278.5 Over: -$170, Under: +$150

-- 36-hole cut: 149.5 Over: -$150, Under: +$130

-- Lowest completed round by any golfer: 65.5 Over: -$150, Under: +$130

-- Will there be a playoff? Yes: +$290, No -$350

-- Finish position by Phil Mickelson: 18.5 -$110 both ways

-- Will Day, Spieth or McIlroy win? Yes: +$200, No -$240

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

#1 Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection: Boston Red Sox + 105

 

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Mike Wynn

Bonus Play: MLB Cleveland w/Carrasco -135 Over Boston

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Razor Sharp

FREE PICK FOR WEDNESDAY:Take NEW ORLEANS/BOSTON OVER the total of 208½

 

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Totals4U

Wednesday's Free Selection: Los Angeles Dodgers/San Diego Padres under 7

 

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Platinum Plays

Free Pick: the Oakland Athletics w/Gray -140 over Chicago Wsox

 

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Golden Dragon Sports

Free Pick Dallas +1'

 

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Huddle Up Sports

Bonus Play: LA Lakers +12

 

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Hawkeye Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection: Edmonton Oilers - 150

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

The Vegas Steam Line

Your free winner for Wednesday: Take HOUSTON/DALLAS OVER the total of 207½

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

High Stakes Syndicate

Free Selection for Wednesday: Los Angeles Dodgers - 130

 

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Nevada Sharpshooter

Your free winner for Wednesday: Take TEXAS (Lewis) -120 over Seattle

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sharp Bettor

Sharp Bettor's Free Pick for Wednesday, April 6, 2016, NHL 7:05 PM EST

(1) COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS VS (2) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Take: (2) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Reason: Last place Columbus has lost 5 of 6 games with an offense ranked 24th in scoring, 21st on the power play and No. 29 in goals allowed. The Blue Jackets are 1-7 on the road, and 29-61-4 on the road against a team with a home winning percentage of less than .400. This is the final home game for Toronto, off a pair of one-goal losses to strong teams. They are excited about six-foot-five goalie Frederik Gauthier, so is playing well. The Maple Leafs are 35-17 at home vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400. Play Toronto.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Roz Wins

Roz's Wednesday, April 6, 2016, Free NBA Pick: 9:35 PM EST

(511) HOUSTON ROCKETS VS (512) DALLAS MAVERICKS

Take: UNDER THE TOTAL

Reason: Houston is on a 6-2 run under the total, playing some defense trying to gain on Utah and Dallas for the last playoff spot. They face a rival Dallas team that has changed its style the last four games, focusing on defense, allowing 88, 89, 89 and 78 points. They've won all 4, going 4-0 under the total. And the Under is 6-0 in Mavericks last 6 games following a straight up win. Play Houston/Dallas Under the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Wednesday

959 PHILLIES (Nola) at 960 REDS (Finnegan) 7:10 PM

Take: PHILLIES +120

It’s a battle of likely also-rans this evening in Cincinnati, as the Reds play host to the Phillies. Cincy came out on top in the Monday opener as they rallied against a Phillies bullpen that has a good chance to be the worst in baseball.

I like the Phils to break their 2016 maiden here. Aaron Nola doesn’t have ace stuff, but he’s certainly got ace mentality. I really like this guy’s bulldog approach. Nola looks to me like a pitcher who will grind out quality starts on a regular basis. The wow factor will probably never be there, but there’s sure nothing wrong with a pitcher who can churn out quality starts on a regular enough basis to give his team a legit chance to win.

Brandon Finnegan will start for Cincinnati, and whether he has a good outing or not will likely be dependent on his control. Throwing strikes on a consistent basis has been an issue for the southpaw ever since he turned pro, and that has not yet changed based on what I saw during spring ball. I don’t think there’s any question Finnegan can be a successful major league starting pitcher. But he has to stop putting himself in position to get beat with those walks.

In looking at the Phillies roster, it’s my take that this team is going to be able to do some damage against lefties. Darin Ruf will likely supplant Ryan Howard in these matchups, which I consider an upgrade. The rally returns as a big leaguer indicate switch hitting Cesar Hernandez is better from the right side. Maikel Franco exhibited substantial sock against lefties last season, and we’ve only seen the top of that iceberg.

The bad news is that Nola isn’t going nine innings and that Philly bullpen is really bad. But I feel there’s a good chance the visitors will at least have the lead late in this one, and with a decent dog price tag being offered, I’ll take my chances with the Phillies tonight.