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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Trends - Detroit at Kansas City


W/L Trends


Detroit
•Tigers are 4-1 in their last 5 during game 3 of a series.
• Tigers are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. American League Central.
• Tigers are 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Tigers are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Tigers are 3-8 in their last 11 road games.
• Tigers are 3-8 in their last 11 overall.
• Tigers are 3-8 in their last 11 games on grass.
• Tigers are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Tigers are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Tigers are 0-4 in their last 4 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Tigers are 5-1 in Boyds last 6 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Tigers are 6-13 in Boyds last 19 road starts.
• Tigers are 3-7 in Boyds last 10 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Tigers are 3-8 in Boyds last 11 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Tigers are 2-8 in Boyds last 10 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Tigers are 0-6 in Boyds last 6 starts.
• Tigers are 0-6 in Boyds last 6 starts on grass.



Kansas City
•Royals are 5-2 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Royals are 17-35 in their last 52 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Royals are 5-11 in their last 16 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Royals are 16-36 in their last 52 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Royals are 2-5 in their last 7 during game 3 of a series.
• Royals are 2-5 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Royals are 3-8 in their last 11 games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Royals are 7-20 in their last 27 vs. American League Central.
• Royals are 3-9 in their last 12 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Royals are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Royals are 1-4 in their last 5 Wednesday games.
• Royals are 2-9 in their last 11 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Royals are 1-5 in their last 6 games following a win.
• Royals are 3-7 in Kennedys last 10 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Royals are 2-5 in Kennedys last 7 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Royals are 1-4 in Kennedys last 5 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Royals are 1-4 in Kennedys last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
• Royals are 1-4 in Kennedys last 5 home starts.
• Royals are 1-4 in Kennedys last 5 starts.
• Royals are 1-4 in Kennedys last 5 starts on grass.
• Royals are 1-5 in Kennedys last 6 starts vs. American League Central.
• Royals are 1-5 in Kennedys last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.
• Royals are 1-5 in Kennedys last 6 Wednesday starts.
• Royals are 1-9 in Kennedys last 10 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Royals are 0-4 in Kennedys last 4 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.


OU Trends


Detroit
•Under is 4-0-1 in Tigers last 5 Wednesday games.
• Under is 4-0-1 in Tigers last 5 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Under is 4-0-1 in Tigers last 5 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Over is 4-1-1 in Tigers last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Over is 4-1-1 in Tigers last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 3-1-1 in Tigers last 5 during game 3 of a series.
• Under is 7-3-1 in Tigers last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Over is 19-9-1 in Tigers last 29 vs. American League Central.
• Over is 21-10-2 in Tigers last 33 games following a loss.
• Under is 3-0-1 in Boyds last 4 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Over is 3-0-1 in Boyds last 4 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
• Under is 5-1 in Boyds last 6 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Under is 4-1 in Boyds last 5 Wednesday starts.
• Under is 4-1 in Boyds last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
• Under is 3-1-1 in Boyds last 5 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Under is 7-3 in Boyds last 10 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Under is 7-3-1 in Boyds last 11 road starts.



Kansas City
•Under is 14-3 in Royals last 17 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Under is 4-1 in Royals last 5 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Under is 11-3 in Royals last 14 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Under is 6-2 in Royals last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Over is 6-2 in Royals last 8 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Under is 19-7-1 in Royals last 27 home games.
• Under is 5-2 in Royals last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 5-2 in Royals last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Over is 5-2 in Royals last 7 vs. American League Central.
• Under is 27-12 in Royals last 39 on grass.
• Under is 9-4 in Royals last 13 games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Under is 13-6 in Royals last 19 games following a win.
• Over is 4-0 in Kennedys last 4 starts on grass.
• Over is 4-0 in Kennedys last 4 starts overall.
• Over is 5-0 in Kennedys last 5 starts vs. American League Central.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Kennedys last 7 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Under is 4-1 in Kennedys last 5 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Under is 5-2-1 in Kennedys last 8 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.


Head to Head


•Over is 4-0 in Boyds last 4 starts vs. Royals.
• Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
• Over is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings in Kansas City.
• Tigers are 1-4 in Boyds last 5 starts vs. Royals.



Umpire Trends - Will Little


•Home team is 4-0 in Littles last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate.
• Over is 3-0-1 in Littles last 4 games behind home plate vs. Kansas City.
• Home team is 5-0 in Littles last 5 games behind home plate vs. Kansas City.
• Under is 4-1 in Littles last 5 games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
• Home team is 4-1 in Littles last 5 games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
• Home team is 19-7 in Littles last 26 games behind home plate.
• Under is 5-2 in Littles last 7 games behind home plate.
• Royals are 2-5 in their last 7 games with Little behind home plate.
• Tigers are 1-6 in their last 7 games with Little behind home plate.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Trends - LA Dodgers at St. Louis


W/L Trends


LA Dodgers
•Dodgers are 5-0 in their last 5 games following a win.
• Dodgers are 5-0 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Dodgers are 10-1 in their last 11 vs. National League Central.
• Dodgers are 10-1 in their last 11 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Dodgers are 5-1 in their last 6 during game 3 of a series.
• Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Dodgers are 7-2 in their last 9 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
• Dodgers are 16-5 in their last 21 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Dodgers are 23-8 in their last 31 overall.
• Dodgers are 23-8 in their last 31 games on grass.
• Dodgers are 11-3 in Ryus last 14 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
• Dodgers are 24-7 in Ryus last 31 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
• Dodgers are 10-4 in Ryus last 14 starts vs. National League Central.
• Dodgers are 13-6 in Ryus last 19 starts with 5 days of rest.
• Dodgers are 2-8 in Ryus last 10 starts.
• Dodgers are 2-8 in Ryus last 10 starts on grass.
• Dodgers are 1-4 in Ryus last 5 Wednesday starts.
• Dodgers are 0-6 in Ryus last 6 road starts.



St. Louis
•Cardinals are 4-1 in their last 5 Wednesday games.
• Cardinals are 7-3 in their last 10 during game 3 of a series.
• Cardinals are 41-18 in their last 59 games after losing the first 2 games of a series.
• Cardinals are 13-6 in their last 19 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Cardinals are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. National League West.
• Cardinals are 1-5 in their last 6 overall.
• Cardinals are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• Cardinals are 1-5 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Cardinals are 1-5 in their last 6 games on grass.
• Cardinals are 1-6 in their last 7 home games.
• Cardinals are 1-7 in their last 8 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Cardinals are 9-1 in Martinezs last 10 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Cardinals are 4-1 in Martinezs last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
• Cardinals are 7-2 in Martinezs last 9 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Cardinals are 33-13 in Martinezs last 46 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
• Cardinals are 5-2 in Martinezs last 7 home starts.
• Cardinals are 7-3 in Martinezs last 10 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
• Cardinals are 9-4 in Martinezs last 13 Wednesday starts.
• Cardinals are 11-5 in Martinezs last 16 starts vs. National League West.
• Cardinals are 2-5 in Martinezs last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Cardinals are 1-4 in Martinezs last 5 starts during game 3 of a series.


OU Trends


LA Dodgers
•Over is 4-0-1 in Dodgers last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 4-0 in Dodgers last 4 during game 3 of a series.
• Under is 5-1 in Dodgers last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
• Over is 4-1-1 in Dodgers last 6 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 4-1 in Dodgers last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Over is 4-1 in Dodgers last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 6-2-1 in Dodgers last 9 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
• Under is 6-2 in Dodgers last 8 Wednesday games.
• Under is 11-4 in Dodgers last 15 vs. National League Central.
• Under is 5-2 in Dodgers last 7 games following a win.
• Under is 5-2-1 in Dodgers last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 5-0-1 in Ryus last 6 starts vs. National League Central.
• Under is 6-1-4 in Ryus last 11 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Ryus last 7 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
• Under is 4-1-1 in Ryus last 6 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Under is 7-2 in Ryus last 9 starts on grass.
• Under is 7-2 in Ryus last 9 starts overall.
• Under is 3-1-1 in Ryus last 5 Wednesday starts.
• Under is 15-5-2 in Ryus last 22 road starts.
• Under is 7-3-2 in Ryus last 12 starts with 5 days of rest.



St. Louis
•Under is 4-0 in Cardinals last 4 games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 7-1 in Cardinals last 8 during game 3 of a series.
• Under is 8-2 in Cardinals last 10 Wednesday games.
• Under is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Under is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 games following a loss.
• Under is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 11-4-1 in Cardinals last 16 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 13-5 in Cardinals last 18 home games.
• Over is 21-10 in Cardinals last 31 overall.
• Over is 21-10 in Cardinals last 31 on grass.
• Under is 4-0-1 in Martinezs last 5 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Under is 4-0 in Martinezs last 4 starts vs. National League West.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Martinezs last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 5-1 in Martinezs last 6 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 7-2-2 in Martinezs last 11 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
• Under is 6-2 in Martinezs last 8 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
• Under is 5-2 in Martinezs last 7 starts with 4 days of rest.
• Under is 10-4-2 in Martinezs last 16 starts on grass.
• Under is 10-4-2 in Martinezs last 16 starts overall.
• Under is 5-2-2 in Martinezs last 9 home starts.
• Under is 5-2-1 in Martinezs last 8 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.


Head to Head


•Under is 4-0 in Ryus last 4 starts vs. Cardinals.
• Dodgers are 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
• Under is 12-5 in the last 17 meetings in St. Louis.
• Dodgers are 18-37 in the last 55 meetings in St. Louis.



Umpire Trends - Mike Muchlinski


•Over is 5-0 in Muchlinskis last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
• Over is 4-0 in Muchlinskis last 4 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
• Road team is 4-1 in Muchlinskis last 5 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
• Over is 8-3 in Muchlinskis last 11 games behind home plate.
• Road team is 5-2 in Muchlinskis last 7 games behind home plate.
• Under is 7-3 in Muchlinskis last 10 games behind home plate vs. Los Angeles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Trends - Atlanta at LA Angels


W/L Trends


Atlanta
•Braves are 5-1 in their last 6 interleague road games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Braves are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Braves are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss.
• Braves are 6-2 in their last 8 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Braves are 7-3 in their last 10 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Braves are 13-27 in their last 40 interleague games.
• Braves are 26-58 in their last 84 during game 3 of a series.
• Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 overall.
• Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 games on grass.
• Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Braves are 3-8 in their last 11 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Braves are 1-6 in their last 7 vs. American League West.
• Braves are 4-1 in Garcias last 5 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.



LA Angels
•Angels are 6-1 in their last 7 interleague home games.
• Angels are 5-1 in their last 6 interleague home games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Angels are 5-1 in their last 6 home games.
• Angels are 20-6 in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Angels are 6-2 in their last 8 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Angels are 20-8 in their last 28 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Angels are 5-2 in their last 7 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 overall.
• Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 Wednesday games.
• Angels are 5-14 in their last 19 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Angels are 2-6 in their last 8 during game 3 of a series.
• Angels are 1-7 in their last 8 interleague home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Angels are 1-5 in Chavezs last 6 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Angels are 1-5 in Chavezs last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.


OU Trends


Atlanta
•Over is 7-0 in Braves last 7 interleague games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 6-0 in Braves last 6 interleague games.
• Over is 4-0 in Braves last 4 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Over is 6-0 in Braves last 6 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Over is 5-0 in Braves last 5 interleague road games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 3-0-1 in Braves last 4 road games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 4-0 in Braves last 4 interleague road games.
• Over is 6-1 in Braves last 7 Wednesday games.
• Over is 6-1 in Braves last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• Over is 4-1-1 in Braves last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Over is 4-1 in Braves last 5 vs. American League West.
• Over is 42-11-1 in Braves last 54 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 32-11-2 in Braves last 45 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 37-14-1 in Braves last 52 games following a loss.
• Over is 29-11-3 in Braves last 43 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Over is 36-14-2 in Braves last 52 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 63-30-4 in Braves last 97 overall.
• Over is 33-16-2 in Braves last 51 road games.
• Over is 55-27-3 in Braves last 85 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Over is 61-30-4 in Braves last 95 on grass.
• Under is 4-1 in Garcias last 5 starts on grass.



LA Angels
•Over is 4-0 in Angels last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Over is 4-0 in Angels last 4 home games.
• Over is 6-1 in Angels last 7 on grass.
• Over is 6-1 in Angels last 7 interleague games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 6-1 in Angels last 7 interleague games.
• Over is 6-1 in Angels last 7 vs. National League East.
• Over is 5-1 in Angels last 6 games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 4-1 in Angels last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Under is 4-1 in Angels last 5 games following a win.
• Over is 4-1 in Angels last 5 overall.
• Over is 23-7-2 in Angels last 32 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 6-2 in Angels last 8 interleague home games.
• Under is 8-3 in Angels last 11 interleague home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 5-2 in Angels last 7 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 21-9-2 in Angels last 32 during game 3 of a series.


Head to Head


•Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Trends - Colorado at Seattle


W/L Trends


Colorado
•Rockies are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a loss.
• Rockies are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
• Rockies are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Rockies are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Rockies are 6-2 in their last 8 during game 3 of a series.
• Rockies are 30-71 in their last 101 interleague games.
• Rockies are 15-36 in their last 51 interleague road games.
• Rockies are 2-5 in their last 7 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Rockies are 16-40 in their last 56 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Rockies are 14-37 in their last 51 vs. American League West.
• Rockies are 13-38 in their last 51 interleague games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Rockies are 7-22 in their last 29 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Rockies are 5-16 in their last 21 interleague road games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Rockies are 3-13 in their last 16 interleague road games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Rockies are 1-6 in their last 7 games after losing the first 2 games of a series.
• Rockies are 4-1 in Senzatelas last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
• Rockies are 4-1 in Senzatelas last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
• Rockies are 4-1 in Senzatelas last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
• Rockies are 8-2 in Senzatelas last 10 starts.
• Rockies are 8-2 in Senzatelas last 10 starts on grass.



Seattle
•Mariners are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. National League West.
• Mariners are 5-1 in their last 6 Wednesday games.
• Mariners are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
• Mariners are 7-2 in their last 9 interleague home games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Mariners are 10-3 in their last 13 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Mariners are 6-2 in their last 8 interleague games.
• Mariners are 14-5 in their last 19 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Mariners are 5-2 in their last 7 during game 3 of a series.
• Mariners are 7-3 in their last 10 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Mariners are 9-4 in their last 13 interleague home games.
• Mariners are 4-1 in Paxtons last 5 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Mariners are 8-17 in Paxtons last 25 starts on grass.
• Mariners are 6-15 in Paxtons last 21 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Mariners are 4-10 in Paxtons last 14 home starts.
• Mariners are 2-5 in Paxtons last 7 Wednesday starts.
• Mariners are 5-13 in Paxtons last 18 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Mariners are 3-8 in Paxtons last 11 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
• Mariners are 4-11 in Paxtons last 15 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Mariners are 1-5 in Paxtons last 6 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Mariners are 0-4 in Paxtons last 4 interleague starts.


OU Trends


Colorado
•Under is 6-0 in Rockies last 6 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 4-0-1 in Rockies last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 4-0 in Rockies last 4 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 6-1-2 in Rockies last 9 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 5-1-1 in Rockies last 7 road games.
• Over is 5-1 in Rockies last 6 games following a loss.
• Over is 5-1-1 in Rockies last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Over is 5-1 in Rockies last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Over is 4-1-2 in Rockies last 7 interleague games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Under is 3-1-1 in Rockies last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
• Under is 6-2-1 in Rockies last 9 Wednesday games.
• Under is 3-1-1 in Rockies last 5 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Under is 6-2 in Rockies last 8 interleague road games.
• Under is 9-3-1 in Rockies last 13 during game 3 of a series.
• Under is 12-5 in Rockies last 17 games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 7-3-2 in Rockies last 12 on grass.
• Under is 7-3-2 in Rockies last 12 interleague games.
• Over is 7-3-2 in Rockies last 12 overall.
• Under is 14-6-1 in Rockies last 21 interleague road games vs. a team with a losing record.
• Under is 17-8 in Rockies last 25 interleague road games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 4-0 in Senzatelas last 4 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
• Over is 4-0 in Senzatelas last 4 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 4-0 in Senzatelas last 4 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 6-1 in Senzatelas last 7 starts on grass.
• Over is 6-1 in Senzatelas last 7 starts overall.



Seattle
•Over is 11-2-3 in Mariners last 16 vs. National League West.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Mariners last 7 on grass.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Mariners last 7 overall.
• Over is 5-1 in Mariners last 6 interleague home games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Over is 4-1 in Mariners last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
• Over is 4-1-1 in Mariners last 6 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Over is 7-2 in Mariners last 9 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 6-2-1 in Mariners last 9 games following a win.
• Under is 6-2 in Mariners last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
• Over is 19-7-1 in Mariners last 27 interleague games.
• Over is 10-4 in Mariners last 14 home games.
• Over is 5-2 in Mariners last 7 interleague home games.
• Over is 7-3 in Mariners last 10 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Over is 5-1-1 in Paxtons last 7 interleague starts.
• Over is 4-1 in Paxtons last 5 Wednesday starts.
• Over is 7-2 in Paxtons last 9 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Under is 5-2 in Paxtons last 7 home starts.
• Under is 5-2 in Paxtons last 7 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.


Head to Head


•Over is 6-2-2 in the last 10 meetings.
• Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Seattle.
• Rockies are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Seattle.
• Rockies are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Trends - Washington at San Francisco


W/L Trends


Washington
•Nationals are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. National League West.
• Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
• Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 games on grass.
• Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Nationals are 5-2 in their last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Nationals are 61-27 in their last 88 Wednesday games.
• Nationals are 9-4 in their last 13 during game 3 of a series.
• Nationals are 17-8 in their last 25 games following a win.
• Nationals are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Nationals are 7-1 in Scherzers last 8 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
• Nationals are 6-1 in Scherzers last 7 Wednesday starts.
• Nationals are 14-3 in Scherzers last 17 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
• Nationals are 7-2 in Scherzers last 9 starts vs. National League West.
• Nationals are 15-5 in Scherzers last 20 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
• Nationals are 21-7 in Scherzers last 28 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Nationals are 20-7 in Scherzers last 27 road starts.
• Nationals are 19-7 in Scherzers last 26 starts.
• Nationals are 19-7 in Scherzers last 26 starts on grass.
• Nationals are 10-4 in Scherzers last 14 starts with 4 days of rest.
• Nationals are 1-4 in Scherzers last 5 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Nationals are 1-4 in Scherzers last 5 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.



San Francisco
•Giants are 6-1 in their last 7 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Giants are 9-4 in their last 13 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Giants are 2-6 in their last 8 overall.
• Giants are 2-6 in their last 8 games on grass.
• Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a loss.
• Giants are 0-6 in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• Giants are 6-1 in Cains last 7 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Giants are 4-1 in Cains last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
• Giants are 8-3 in Cains last 11 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Giants are 5-2 in Cains last 7 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Giants are 8-20 in Cains last 28 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
• Giants are 2-7 in Cains last 9 starts during game 3 of a series.


OU Trends


Washington
•Under is 4-0 in Nationals last 4 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 4-0-1 in Nationals last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Nationals last 7 overall.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Nationals last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Nationals last 7 on grass.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Nationals last 7 vs. National League West.
• Over is 7-2 in Nationals last 9 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 3-1-1 in Nationals last 5 games following a win.
• Under is 5-2 in Nationals last 7 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 7-3-1 in Nationals last 11 during game 3 of a series.
• Over is 17-8-2 in Nationals last 27 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Over is 4-0 in Scherzers last 4 starts with 4 days of rest.
• Over is 4-1-1 in Scherzers last 6 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 4-1 in Scherzers last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
• Under is 4-1-1 in Scherzers last 6 starts vs. National League West.
• Over is 5-2 in Scherzers last 7 road starts.
• Over is 7-3 in Scherzers last 10 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.



San Francisco
•Under is 3-0-1 in Giants last 4 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 3-0-1 in Giants last 4 during game 3 of a series.
• Over is 4-1 in Giants last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
• Over is 4-1 in Giants last 5 Wednesday games.
• Over is 3-1-1 in Giants last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 3-1-1 in Giants last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 17-8-1 in Giants last 26 home games.
• Over is 5-1-2 in Cains last 8 Wednesday starts.
• Over is 5-1 in Cains last 6 starts on grass.
• Over is 5-1 in Cains last 6 starts overall.
• Over is 23-8-3 in Cains last 34 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 19-7-2 in Cains last 28 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 10-4-1 in Cains last 15 starts vs. National League East.
• Over is 24-10-2 in Cains last 36 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
• Over is 34-15-2 in Cains last 51 starts with 4 days of rest.
• Over is 33-15-4 in Cains last 52 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 32-15-4 in Cains last 51 starts during game 3 of a series.
• Over is 33-16-2 in Cains last 51 starts following a team loss in their previous game.


Head to Head


•Giants are 7-1 in Cains last 8 home starts vs. Nationals.
• Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in San Francisco.
• Nationals are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
• Giants are 4-1 in Cains last 5 starts vs. Nationals.
• Under is 15-5-1 in the last 21 meetings.



Umpire Trends - Tripp Gibson III


•Home team is 6-1 in Gibson IIIs last 7 games behind home plate.
• Giants are 6-1 in their last 7 games with Gibson III behind home plate.
• Road team is 5-1 in Gibson IIIs last 6 games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
• Over is 4-1 in Gibson IIIs last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
• Under is 5-2 in Gibson IIIs last 7 games behind home plate.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nashville at Pittsburgh
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Where: PPG PAINTS Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If it were a boxing match, the referee may have stopped the fight. Fortunately for the Pittsburgh Penguins, their heavyweight showdown versus Nashville was scored by the quality of the blows that they landed, allowing them to take a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the visiting Predators on Wednesday night.

Pittsburgh's 5-3 victory Monday night came in inexplicable fashion -- the Penguins built and blew a three-goal lead before Jake Guentzel delivered the late tiebreaking tally after his team went more than 37 minutes without registering a shot on net. "It's not textbook," said Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby after the Penguins finished with the fewest shots on goal (12) by a winning team in Stanley Cup history. "We've got some things we need to improve on." The Predators, who are trailing in a series for the first time this postseason, are trying to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time before the best-of-seven set shifts to Nashville. "I thought our guys played great," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said after Monday's game. "We hate the score, we hate the result, but we'll move forward."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS

ABOUT THE PREDATORS: Pekka Rinne's save percentage has steady decreased since opening the postseason with consecutive shutouts in Chicago, but he's eager to atone after allowing four goals on 11 shots Monday. "That's the best part in the playoffs," Rinne said. "You always get another opportunity, and that's going to happen on Wednesday, so I'm looking forward to that." Colton Sissons continues to shine in place of injured No. 1 center Ryan Johansen with four goals in two games while center Mike Fisher returned from injury to collect two assists -- his first points of the playoffs.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS: Pittsburgh received the secondary scoring it had been missing as Conor Sheary, a 23-goal scorer during the regular season, notched his first of the playoffs and Guentzel registered his 10th of the postseason to lead all goal scorers. Guentzel ended an eight-game drought and tied Claude Lemieux (1986) and Chris Drury (1999) for the most game-winning goals by a rookie in the playoffs with four. Crosby matched Chris Kunitz with a pair of assists for his 55th career multiple-point game in the postseason, eclipsing Joe Sakic for sixth place on the all-time list.

OVERTIME

1. Crosby is bidding to become the first player to win the goal-scoring title and a Stanley Cup in the same season since Wayne Gretzky (1986-87).

2. Rinne owns one victory over Pittsburgh in nine matchups (1-6-2).

3. Penguins C Evgeni Malkin has a playoff-leading 25 points after his power-play goal in Game 1.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Predators 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Trends - Nashville at Pittsburgh


W/L Trends


Nashville
•Predators are 6-1 in their last 7 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
• Predators are 7-2 in their last 9 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
• Predators are 6-2 in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
• Predators are 6-2 in their last 8 Wednesday games.
• Predators are 6-2 in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• Predators are 17-7 in their last 24 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Predators are 12-5 in their last 17 overall.
• Predators are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.



Pittsburgh
•Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
• Penguins are 7-2 in their last 9 Stanley Cup Finals games.
• Penguins are 64-21 in their last 85 home games.
• Penguins are 37-14 in their last 51 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Penguins are 60-25 in their last 85 games playing on 1 days rest.
• Penguins are 2-5 in their last 7 games following a win.
• Penguins are 1-4 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
• Penguins are 1-9 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.


OU Trends


Nashville
•Over is 5-1 in Predators last 6 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
• Under is 4-1 in Predators last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
• Under is 4-1 in Predators last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
• Under is 10-3-4 in Predators last 17 games playing on 1 days rest.
• Over is 18-7-2 in Predators last 27 vs. Metropolitan.
• Under is 15-6-7 in Predators last 28 overall.
• Under is 12-5-7 in Predators last 24 vs. a team with a winning record.



Pittsburgh
•Under is 4-1-1 in Penguins last 6 Wednesday games.
• Under is 8-2 in Penguins last 10 Stanley Cup Finals games.
• Over is 3-1-2 in Penguins last 6 overall.
• Over is 3-1-2 in Penguins last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 33-12-6 in Penguins last 51 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Under is 5-2 in Penguins last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
• Over is 15-6-1 in Penguins last 22 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.


Head to Head


•Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Pittsburgh.
• Predators are 2-9 in the last 11 meetings.
• Predators are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in Pittsburgh.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pens wary, Preds confident entering Game 2
May 30, 2017

PITTSBURGH (AP) The winning team went nearly two full periods without a shot. The hottest goaltender in the playoffs was only tested 11 times in 58 minutes - and lost.

No wonder Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan described his team's 5-3 victory over Nashville in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final as ''bizarre.''

And that doesn't even include the catfish tossed onto the ice by a Predators fan at PPG Paints Arena in the middle of a second period. The fish that splatted on the Nashville blue line earned the thrower three misdemeanor charges and also came as close to Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne as anything the Penguins managed during 20 minutes in which the highest-scoring team in the league couldn't even muster a single shot.

''It's not always pretty,'' Sullivan said Tuesday. ''We don't get points for style. But what I love about our team is that we find ways to win, we compete.''

True, though for the majority of Game 1, the competition was pretty one-sided. The Predators controlled the pace and the puck, just not the scoreboard. It left the guys from ''Smashville'' in a new position for the first time since they began their mad dash to the final a month ago: chaser instead of chasee as Game 2 looms on Wednesday night.

''Now we face a little adversity,'' said defenseman Ryan Ellis, who scored the first Stanley Cup Final goal in team history. ''We see what kind of group and character we have to bounce back.''

The Predators haven't dropped consecutive games in the postseason and their four previous losses were pretty easy to explain. What happened on Monday night was not. The only area where Nashville wasn't markedly better than the defending Stanley Cup champions is the only one that really matters.

''Everything was there that we liked but the result,'' Ellis said.

Ellis described the Predators as more disappointed than mad. You can probably add baffled to the list. Nashville became the first team since the NHL began tracking the stat in 1957 to hold a team without a shot for an entire period during the Stanley Cup Final. The gulf actually stretched 37 minutes in all, which sounds like a perfect way for the opponent to win.

Except the streak was bookended by goals. The first, a ricochet off Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm, gave the Penguins a 3-0 lead with 17 seconds left in the first period. The second, a sniper shot by Penguins rookie Jake Guentzel exactly 37 minutes later, put Pittsburgh back in front to stay at 4-3.

The angst Nashville felt isn't new to those who face the Penguins. Pittsburgh was outshot throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs. It didn't stop the Penguins from knocking off Columbus in five games and Washington in seven. There's a bit of a changeling quality to this group as opposed to the one that beat San Jose in six games to win the Cup last spring.

Sullivan calls it the ability to ''win games different ways,'' but what happened in Game 1 seems borderline impossible. The Penguins understand they were equal parts lucky and good. They also understand they can't afford to have their offense go dormant for nearly two periods.

Only a handful of Penguins participated in a skate on Tuesday, though the video room was crowded while they searched for ways to make sure a funk like that doesn't happen again.

''We know that's not necessarily the way you want to play the game every night,'' Crosby said.

The Predators are more focused on the process than the end product. Save for a bumpy stretch near the end of the first period where the Penguins scored three times, Nashville did exactly what it wanted to do. Defenseman P.K. Subban pointed to the response after falling behind by three as proof the stage is not too big.

''It's easy in a Stanley Cup game to come back in the room, everybody is quiet, nerves,'' Subban said. ''But that's not our hockey club. We know how good we can be. The way we responded was typical Nashville Predators.''

Typical for everyone except Rinne. The 34-year-old goalie is the main reason Nashville's season will extend into June for the first time. Yet his iffy play in Game 1 continued a troubling trend. He came into the series 1-5-2 with a .880 save percentage and 3.57 goals-against average in his career against the Penguins, numbers that ticked in the wrong direction even though he spent a majority of three periods standing in his crease with nothing to do while his teammates were at work at the other end of the ice.

Rinne's teammates rallied to his defense. They're well aware that without him they likely would have traded their sticks for golf clubs long ago.

''Looking back since I came here a couple years ago, he's been the best player in almost all of the games played,'' Filip Forsberg said. ''We have all the belief in Pekks we can ever have. I'm looking forward to see him play next game.''

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Letang had trouble watching Stanley Cup opener
May 30, 2017

PITTSBURGH -- If the Pittsburgh Penguins found parts of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Nashville Predators difficult to navigate, and if their fans found it hard to watch at times, perhaps they should all be grateful they were not sitting with Kris Letang.

"I think when I'm sitting in the (press) box up there, the people sitting next to me don't really like me," the injured Penguins defenseman said with a grin Tuesday, the first time he has spoken publicly since he had season-ending surgery the second week of April for a herniated disc in his neck.

"I'm screaming. I don't work the best way by watching."

Letang, 30, Pittsburgh's top defenseman, is a smooth-skating, two-way blue-liner who plays big minutes and whose puck-moving skills help with breakouts and production -- despite several injury and illness setbacks, he is approaching 300 assists and 400 points in his career.

Letang also has 18 goals, 68 points in 116 career playoff games.

The Penguins surely could have used him Monday night. Perhaps their 5-3 victory might have come a bit more easily.

The Predators spotted Pittsburgh an early three-goal lead, then mounted a comeback to tie it while holding the Penguins without a shot for 37 minutes, including all of the second period and most of the third.

Letang said his recovery is going well and he hopes to get clearance to get back on the ice soon, but with an original four- to six-month recovery time, there is no chance he will play in this series.

Game 2 is Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena.

His absence led a lot of prognosticators to say the same about Pittsburgh's chances of making a deep postseason run or winning the Cup -- no chance.

The Penguins have made conscious adjustments with their defense, most conspicuously spreading minutes fairly evenly rather than asking any player to step into Letang's go-to role.

Letang, shortly before his surgery, swore his belief in his teammates, particularly team offensive and spiritual leaders such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

He predicted Pittsburgh could win the Cup for the second straight year.

"For the people who were rolling their eyes, you've all seen Sidney Crosby's demeanor, what he wants to accomplish," Letang said. "He's a guy that you can look up to. I was confident to say that in front of a lot of people."

Coach Mike Sullivan has recruited Letang to help in other ways.

Letang, popular with his teammates, is encouraged to be around the club. He travels to road games. He announces the starting lineup before each game in the locker room.

On a more practical level, Letang sits in on some coaches' meetings and has informal conversations with the defensemen, whether it's individually, by the pairing or with the full group, according to Sullivan.

"We wish we had him in the lineup, but in the absence of that he's a great set of eyes," Sullivan said. "He has so much to offer this group, both our coaching staff and the team as a whole, even though he's not in our lineup."

Letang just might be coaching himself, too.

"You kind of realize things that you don't really see at the ice level," he said. "I think as a player, I'm going to learn a lot, too, watching in different situations. It's easy now to go down and tell those guys, 'Hey, this is open. You might not feel like it, but this is open.'

"It's a different aspect. I always try to think when you're watching a game, you're actually getting better, you're learning more."

Except how to remain calm in the press box.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preds encouraged despite Game 1 loss in Stanley Cup Final
May 30, 2017

PITTSBURGH (AP) The first period of their first Stanley Cup Final game was a rough one for the Nashville Predators.

They had a goal waved off. They fell behind 3-0 and looked overmatched at times.

And then things settled down. Nashville dominated long stretches of the second and third periods, and even limited the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins without a shot for an impressive 37-minute stretch before falling 5-3. Game 2 is Wednesday night.

''I thought we outplayed them, I really did,'' Predators defenseman P.K. Subban said. ''Being down 3-0 to the Stanley Cup champions, coming back and tying it up with an opportunity to win the hockey game is definitely something to build on.''

Ryan Ellis scored in the second period and Colton Sissons in the third, both on the power play, before Frederick Gaudreau tied the game prior to Jake Guentzel's game-winner for Pittsburgh.

Pekka Rinne made seven saves on just 12 shots. He faced eight of those shots in the first period and then saw none in the second period, the first time a team held an opponent without a shot in a Stanley Cup Final since the league began tracking shots on goal in 1958. The next shot he faced was Guentzel's goal with 3:17 to play.

''At the end of the game, I'm disappointed I didn't help my team,'' Rinne said. ''We showed a lot of character and I felt we played a great game. They're a very opportunistic team, a high-skilled team, and we have to limit our mistakes.''

Nick Bonino scored twice, including and empty-net goal, while Evgeni Malkin and Conor Sheary scored in the first period for Pittsburgh. Matt Murray made 23 saves.

The Predators were a perfect 3-0 on the road in Game 1 during the playoffs. But they allowed three goals in the first period for just the fourth time this season, and now they trail for the first time in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Nashville thought it scored the opening goal midway through the first period when Subban's wrist shot from the point got by Murray. But the goal was overturned and ruled offside after the first coach's challenge in a Final game.

''The impact of that moment and then the chain of events that happened after that with the penalty kills I think changed the course of the game,'' Predators coach Peter Laviolette said.

Pittsburgh was awarded a 5-on-3 power play for a full two minutes, and the Predators were less than 30 seconds from killing the penalty when Malkin's slap shot from the point beat Rinne. Sheary struck 1:05 after Malkin's goal, converting a wide-open look from the side of the net. And with just 16.1 seconds left in the first, Rinne poked Bonino's centering pass and the deflected puck bounced off Mattias Ekholm and into the goal.

''As bad as it seemed, we still found a way to get back into it,'' Predators' captain Mike Fisher said.

The Predators were hardly intimidated by the big stage. Nashville beat Chicago, the top seed in the conference, in a four-game sweep before taking down St. Louis and outlasting Anaheim.

Pittsburgh owns a massive edge in Stanley Cup Final experience, 156 games to just five for the Predators, all by Fisher, while playing for Ottawa. But Nashville entered the Stanley Cup Final playing comfortably and confidently, poise that was on display during points of the second and third periods.

Ellis scored a power-play goal through a Viktor Arvidsson screen midway through the second period, cutting the deficit to 3-1. The Predators continued to press and they were rewarded on the power play when Roman Josi's shot from the point changed direction and banked off Sissons' knee at the top of the crease and behind Murray. Nashville tied it with 6:31 to play when Gaudreau scored on a feed from Austin Watson, who beat two Penguins behind the net to set up the goal.

From there, the Predators were rolling, with all the momentum from their three-goal comeback. Guentzel's shot changed everything.

''It just wasn't our night,'' Fisher said. ''We just have to stay positive. We'll regroup.''

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Predators (41-29) at Penguins (50-21)
Date: May 31, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH -- It's normal for a playoff series to gain context over the first game or two or three.

You can probably throw that out the window with the Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, who meet Wednesday in Game 2 at PPG Paints Arena. After what happened in the series opener, it's anyone's guess in what direction things might be heading.

Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan called his team's 5-3 win Monday in Game 1 "bizarre."

Nashville coach Peter Laviolette found himself juxtaposing praise for the way his team played with this: "We hate the result. Right now we are 100 percent in a result-orientated business. I would rather be in their shoes. I would rather have that Game 1 win because you need four out of seven. Now it's down to six to try to grab the four."

The Penguins won, but weren't wholly happy because they blew a three-goal lead and went 37 minutes without a shot on goal. The Predators lost but seemed genuinely satisfied with the effort if not the outcome.

A lot of times, the team coming off of a loss will practice while a winning club will stay off the ice. The opposite happened Tuesday, with Pittsburgh holding a fairly well-attended optional skate.

Sullivan even was asked Tuesday if he believed in divine intervention or his team being some sort of team of destiny for winning games like that and overcoming a series of injuries this postseason.

"No, I don't think so," he said. "I think our team has an ability to win games different ways. One of the strengths of this team is the quick-strike ability. We can be opportunistic, and when we get high-quality chances we have some people that can finish."

That's a general description of the Penguins through Sullivan's eyes. Analyzing Game 1 specifically is more difficult.

"It's hard to kind of put a finger on why it turned out the way it did," said Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray, who made 23 saves. "I think we were just glad to get the win at the end of the night. ... I think it just came down to big plays at big times. Not a dominant performance, of course, by any means, but we got it done."

So both teams found reason to be optimistic, the Penguins because they are coming off a win, and the Predators because even in a loss they didn't stray far from their blueprint and believe they can bounce back to split the two games in Pittsburgh before the series shifts to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

"I think our team has been tested many times this season, whether we've had guys out of the lineup or we've gone through rough patches," Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban said. "We've always responded the right way."

In Game 1, it came down to Pittsburgh being able to beat Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne four times on 11 shots (the Penguins also had an empty-net goal).

Rinne is an elite goalie, a three-time Vezina Trophy finalist and the team's longest-tenured player. He carried a postseason-best 1.70 goals-against average into the series.

But the Penguins have given him problems in the limited sample of nine games he has faced them. During the regular season in his career, he is 1-5-2 against them in eight starts, and his .880 save percentage and 3.57 goals-against average are his worst against any club.

"I expect him to bounce back," Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "He's a terrific goalie. He's been our MVP all year."

Then again, the way Game 1 went, there's no telling what might happen in Game 2.


NHL HEAD TO HEAD

May 29, 2017 Score ATS Results
NAS 3 Over: 8
PIT « 5 Cover: 232
Tools: Recaps

Jan 31, 2017 Score ATS Results
NAS 2 Over: 6
PIT « 4 Cover: 222
Tools: Recaps

Oct 22, 2016 Score ATS Results
PIT 1 Cover: 286
NAS « 5 Over: 6
Tools: Recaps

Mar 31, 2016 Score ATS Results
NAS 2 Over: 7
PIT « 5 Cover: 248
Tools: Recaps

Oct 24, 2015 Score ATS Results
PIT « 2 Under: 3
NAS 1 Cover: 239
Tools: Recaps

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jack Jones
May 31 '17, 8:10 PM in 7h
MLB | Red Sox vs White Sox
Play on: Red Sox -147 at BMaker

Jack's Free Pick Wednesday: Boston Red Sox -147

The Boston Red Sox are worth a bet even at -147 tonight on the road against the Chicago White Sox. This is a hot Red Sox team that is 7-2 in their last nine games overall while scoring at least six runs six times. They just hung 13 on the White Sox yesterday.

Drew Pomeranz has been solid this season for Boston, going 4-3 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.387 WHIP and 56 strikeouts in 44 innings. He is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in his last three starts while coming off an 11-strikeout performance against Texas. Pomeranz is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in one career start against Chicago.

Mike Pelfrey has held his own thus far for the White Sox, but he's far past his prime and will get lit up tonight. Pelfrey is 2-4 with a 4.41 ERA in seven starts, striking out just 18 batters in 34 2/3 innings. He gave up five earned runs in five innings against Boston in his last start against them in 2016.

The White Sox are 1-9 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record. Chicago is 4-10 in its last 14 games following a loss. The Red Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings in Chicago. Bet the Red Sox Wednesday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Info Plays
May 31 '17, 10:10 PM in 9h
MLB | Rockies vs Mariners
Play on: Mariners -168 at betonline

1* Bonus Play on Mariners -168

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Brandon Lee
May 31 '17, 10:10 PM in 9h
MLB | Rockies vs Mariners
Play on: Mariners -1½ +120 at BMaker

10* FREE MLB PICK (Mariners -1.5, +120)

I'm backing the Mariners to not only win on Wednesday but to do so by at least 2 runs. Seattle will get a boost here with the return of starter James Paxton, who had easily been their best starter before going on the DL. Paxton is 3-0 with a 1.43 ERA and 0.982 WHIP in 6 starts with a 0.44 ERA in 3 home starts. While he doesn't figure to go deep in this one, I look for him to give the Mariners 5-6 strong innings. At the same time, I look for Seattle's offense to stay hot and put up another big number here. The Mariners have scored 21 runs on 45 hits in their last 3 games. Give me the Mariners -1.5 (+120)!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Andre Ramirez
MLB | May 31, 2017
Brewers vs. Mets Brewers
+168 at BETONLINE in 4h

MLB 60 DIME FREE GAME

The Brewers have been a strong offensive team so far as they come in ranked 7th in the league in scoring, putting up 5.08 rpg, while also ranking 11th in hitting at .254 and 6th in homers with 72. On the mound they have been below average so far as they come in ranked 18th in the league in ERA at 4.25, while also ranking 26th in WHIP at 1.41. Degrom averages 4.5 runs at home. I like the Brewers to pull the win 4-2.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DAVE COKIN

DODGERS AT CARDINALS
PLAY: DODGERS +120

There isn’t any question St. Louis has the pitching edge here with Carlos Martinez on the mound against the shopworn Hyun-Jin Ryu. The Dodgers lefty is now a soft tosser and is dependent on location to survive.

But he is a southpaw and that remains a problem for the Redbirds. Martinez is outstanding but he’s facing a very good offense vs. righties and the Dodgers have a major edge with the bats in this game.

Then there’s the enormous run differential, which favors the Dodgers by a wide margin. If this game was in the pick ’em range, I’d leave it be. But I just can’t justify the Cardinals being favored by this much. That means it’s a value dog grab here and I will be on the Dodgers to nail down another win.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPORTS WAGERS

PITTSBURGH -½ +121 over Nashville

The general consensus is that Game 1 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals may have been one of the worst games ever played. That's saying a lot considering there were eight goals and one team came back from three down to tie it up late before Pittsburgh would go on to luckily win it. Much has been made about the Predators having an early goal reversed on an offsides call. If you thought instant replay was going to make sure “they get it right” you haven't seen this system instituted in other sports where the calls on the field are also subject to human error. How many times have you heard the network's officiating “expert” get the call wrong? There is no league-wide conspiracy to ensure the Penguins win but a perceived bad call can bring the worst out in gamblers. It's important not to react with emotion and understand that over time the calls will even out.

To the naked eye, there is no question who the better team was in Game 1. The Preds dominated puck possession and shots on goal but Jim Rome said it best, “Scoreboard”. That's a fact Preds coach Pierre Laviolette knows all too well, “We hate the result. Right now we are 100 percent in a results-oriented business.” He's right and while he added his team played “great”, there are some big red flags in the Nashville camp. First, despite totally dominating the play for nearly 60-minutes, the Preds could only manage 26 shots on net. That’s a problem. Second, Pekka Rinne has taken his lumps in this space over the years and it was only a matter of time before the clock struck midnight on this rat disguised as a prized pony. Rinne let in four goals on 12 shots. While the game winner came after 37-minutes of inactivity, it was a routine glove save that Rinne had to make. What happened in Game 1 to Rinne and the Preds has been happening for two years now. Dude is prone to allowing soft goals, which makes him weak. Great goaltenders only allow a handful of softies all year and that is what separates the great from the weak. Rinne is the latter because he gives up far too many soft goals.

Did ya hear? The Penguins went 37-minutes Monday night without a shot. This news was obviously not lost on anyone who watched Game 1 or any of its fallout. We are not going to reflect too much on the Pens performance in Game 1 because it's not likely to be seen again. The fact the Penguins were able to play arguably their worst game of the season and still walk away with the win has to be a huge boost. Sidney Crosby and company are not used to taking much heat from the local media and national hockey press but they’ve been criticized harshly for their pathetic performance on the league's biggest stage. This team already knows what it takes to reach the mountain top but this extra fuel may be all they need to finish the climb. It was almost like the Pens were embarrassed that they won Game 1. You could hear it in their tone during post-game interviews.

The Penguins were a -165 favorite in Game 1 and were totally dominated for the world to see but they got the victory. There is an obvious overreaction to Pittsburgh’s pitiful performance in Game,1 butt we’re are going to completely ignore that effort here. The Penguins are a proud and determined bunch that have never been so embarrassed by a win or a performance like that before and we can almost guarantee a massive response to the good. Nashville got their free shot at the champs and they not only swung and missed but the Preds hit the mat with the force of their failure. Don't be surprised if the Penguins don't let them off the canvas.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPORTS WAGERS

PITTSBURGH -107 over Arizona

Pittsburgh is 24-29 and in dead last in the NL East. Arizona is 32-22 and own one of the best records in baseball. In five starts, Zach Godley is 1-1 with a 1.99 ERA and over his last three starts covering 19.2 innings, he has posted an ERA of 1.83. Meanwhile, Chad Kuhl has one win in 10 starts to go along with an ERA of 6.29. At home, Kuhl is 1-3 with an ERA of 8.61. Over his last three starts, Kuhl is 0-2 in 13 innings with an ERA of 7.43. You see where we are going here? Arizona looks like the play of the day. They are a dog when in fact, everything points to them rolling over the Pirates. If the D-Backs don’t set up to be the sucker play of the day, then we have no idea what would. Buyer beware is how this one must be labeled. What we know for sure is that the oddsmakers are gambling that the Pirates are going to win here and when we can get on their side, you can usually pencil us in.

We’ll spare you the details on Godley because it’s not relevant here. What’s relevant is that Chad Kuhl is so much better than his surface stats suggest but most of the market has no idea just how good he is. Chad Kuhl has torpedoed some bankrolls already (6.29 ERA, 1.66 WHIP) so we’re pretty sure not many are anxious to get behind him again and potentially rip up their ticket again. However, those results have been inflated by a 38% hit rate and 60% strand rate. He is throwing in the mid-90s and owns a very attractive 13% swing and miss rate, which confirms that he has the stuff to turn things around. With great control and an overall solid skills foundation, Kuhl is in line for a great game here. The line says so.

Tampa Bay -1½ +126 over TEXAS

Chris Archer has fanned 23 batters over his last 14 frames and 51 batters over his last 33. Archer owns a 2.69 xERA over his last 6 starts, which is tops in all of baseball. Incidentally, current Rangers are hitting .181 against Archer with just one jack in 83 AB’s. Chris Archer is the straight goods but this is more a fade against the Rangers’ first time starter.

Austin Bibens-Dirkx was been rewarded with his first ever promotion to the big leagues back on May 17 and has appeared in four games, mostly as a long reliever. Bibens-Dirkx has been a weary traveler since signing as a 16th-round pick of the Mariners in 2006. He was released in early 2009 and latched on with an independent league team before the Cubs signed him later in the year. He has also pitched in the Nationals, Rockies and Blue Jays organizations, as well as other independent leagues, most recently in 2016. Austin Bibens-Dirkx is 32-years old. He has a versatile, durable arm that allows him to contribute in a number of roles. He has been both a starter and reliever throughout his career and has been remarkably healthy. None of his pitches grade out as above average. His fastball sits between 87-92 mph and he complements it with a cutter, slider, curveball and change-up but so what. A wide repertoire is great when one of your pitches is filthy but this career minor leaguer does not have any plus pitches. They are all average, which is why he’s been in the minors for over a decade. This is a pitcher with over 1000 innings pitched at lower levels. He’s being thrown into the fire here because the Rangers have few other options. With quality pitching being so scarce and watered down, the fact that Bibens-Dirkx has been toiling in lower levels for over a decade without getting a shot, tells us everything we need to know about him. 25 teams later (or thereabouts) and it’s not likely going to work out well.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Larry Ness

Detroit vs. Kansas City
Pick: Kansas City

The Royals and Tigers meet tonight in KC for the rubber match of this three-game series. The Royals blanked the Tigers 1-0 on Tuesday after losing 10-7 on Monday to Detroit. The Tigers have lost eight of 11 games to fall to 24-28, just 1 1/2 games in front of the last-place Royals in the AL Central. However, the good news is that no team is playing all that well in the division, so Detroit is a modest four games out of first place, while KC is just 5 1/2 games back.

The pitching matchup features Detroit's Matt Boyd (2-5, 5.40 ERA) up against KC's Ian Kennedy (0-4, 4.43 ERA). Boyd is winless in his last seven starts (Tigers are 1-6) and has not made it through six innings in the past three outings, allowing 14 ERs over 12.1 innings for a 10.22 ERA in that stretch. Boyd is 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA in six career starts vs the Royals (teams are 2-4). To say the least, it's been a highly disappointing year for Kennedy. He has not completed six innings in any of his last four outings after recording three straight quality starts that averaged seven innings. However, the bottom line is that he's yet to earn a win in any of his eight starts in 2017 with KC going 2-6 (minus-$467). Kennedy is 1-3 with a 3.79 ERA in six career starts against Detroit (teams are 1-5).
Boyd's struggles mirror Kennedy's, as the Tigers are 3-7 in his starts, minus-$348 vs the moneyline. What's more, Detroit is 12-18 on the road, allowing 5.20 RPG, which pairs nicely (unfortunately for the Tigers) with Boyd's 5.40 ERA and 2.06 WHIP on the road. Take the home team.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Will Rogers

Cubs vs. Padres
Pick: Cubs

The set-up: Surely the Cubs knew repeating would not be a piece of cake but no one expected these kind of troubles. What a difference a year makes! The Cubs are currently 25-26 with a run differential of plus-1. compared to 36-15 with a differential of plus-129 through 51 games last year. The Padres beat the Cubs 6-2 last night and Chicago is now 0-5 on its five-game West Coast swing, scoring only runs while going 2 for 31 with runners in scoring position. San Diego has won three straight for the third time this year and will attempt to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games when they host the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of this three-game series.

The pitching matchup: Jake Arrieta (5-4 & 4.92 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago and Luis Perdomo (0-2 & 5.61 ERA) for San Diego. Arrieta has lost three of his last four decisions, including a setback against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Friday in which he yielded four runs over six innings. Arrieta just isn't the same pitcher we saw last year and in particular, the one who won the Cy Young award in 2015. His outing vs. LA marked the fifth time in his last seven outings that he has surrendered at least four runs and fourth time this year he has served up two HRs. He's made three career starts against the Padres, going 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA. Perdomo has lost each of his last two starts after beginning the season with six no-decisions (San Diego was 2-4). He has worked six innings in five of his last six outings, including a setback at Washington on Friday in which he gave up three runs and six hits. Perdomo has not made a start against the Cubs but made a relief appearance at Chicago last year, allowing two runs on two hits and a pair of walks in three innings.

The pick: The Cubs will come out of their funk as San Diego manager Andy Green noted to those concerned about the Cubs. "Do I respect them? Yes," Green said. "Are they one of the best teams in baseball? Without question. Can any team go through a 50-game stretch and play .500 and still be a really competitive team at the end of the season? Absolutely. I don't look at a 50-game stretch and write them off, as good a team as they are." Arras not has had his "A-game" so far but but Arrieta over Perdomo seems like a no-brainer.