The Red Sox split their four-game set at Comerica Park against the
Tigers, outscoring them 21-18. The Red Sox head down to St. Petersburg
to battle the Rays, looking to improve on their 5-2 mark during the
current road odyssey. The Red Sox have crawled to within a half-game of
the first-place Toronto Blue Jays, and they might be in first all alone
if not for the pesky Rays. The Red Sox did pull off a three-game sweep
last time the sides met at Fenway July 8-10, but are just 5-4 overall
against Tampa this season. David Price faces his former team looking to
keep the Red Sox on the right path, but Boston is just 1-5 in his past
six road outings, and 2-5 in his past seven starts overall.
Coldest team: Brewers (1-6 past seven, 5-13 past 18)
The Brewers pumped the brakes on a six-game skid, salvaging the series
finale at Safeco Field against the Mariners Sunday. Milwaukee returns
home to face a Colorado team which is just 1-5 over their past six road
games, but 7-1 in Chad Bettis' past eight starts. The Rockies are 6-2 in
their past eight road outings against a team with a winning home
record, but 11-24 in their past 35 against the NL Central. Milwaukee has
won just one of their past seven, and they're 2-12 in Jimmy Nelson's
past 14 outings while going 0-6 in his past six tries against NL West
foes. Colorado has won six of the past seven meetings overall, including
each of their past four in Cream City.
The Red Sox split their four-game set at Comerica Park against the
Tigers, outscoring them 21-18. The Red Sox head down to St. Petersburg
to battle the Rays, looking to improve on their 5-2 mark during the
current road odyssey. The Red Sox have crawled to within a half-game of
the first-place Toronto Blue Jays, and they might be in first all alone
if not for the pesky Rays. The Red Sox did pull off a three-game sweep
last time the sides met at Fenway July 8-10, but are just 5-4 overall
against Tampa this season. David Price faces his former team looking to
keep the Red Sox on the right path, but Boston is just 1-5 in his past
six road outings, and 2-5 in his past seven starts overall.
Coldest team: Brewers (1-6 past seven, 5-13 past 18)
The Brewers pumped the brakes on a six-game skid, salvaging the series
finale at Safeco Field against the Mariners Sunday. Milwaukee returns
home to face a Colorado team which is just 1-5 over their past six road
games, but 7-1 in Chad Bettis' past eight starts. The Rockies are 6-2 in
their past eight road outings against a team with a winning home
record, but 11-24 in their past 35 against the NL Central. Milwaukee has
won just one of their past seven, and they're 2-12 in Jimmy Nelson's
past 14 outings while going 0-6 in his past six tries against NL West
foes. Colorado has won six of the past seven meetings overall, including
each of their past four in Cream City.
Hottest pitcher: Jon Lester, Cubs (13-4, 2.86 ERA)
Lester entered the season with bone chips in his elbow and the potential
of an injury at anytime. Luckily for the Cubs, the issue has become a
non-factor and he is a large part of the team's outstanding run for the
pennant. Lester has been even more efficient lately, going 2-0 with a
2.29 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over his past three outings, striking out 21 and
walking just three over the past 19 2/3 innings. The Cubs take on the
Padres looking to improve on their 16-5 mark over the past 21 starts by
Lester. They're also a perfect 8-0 in his past eight road outings
against teams with a losing overall record, for which San Diego
certainly qualifies.
Coldest pitcher: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (15-4, 3.59 ERA)
The way things were going a few weeks ago, no one would ever have
expected to see Strasburg on this list. He had one loss in his first 16
decisions after a win Aug. 1. However, he has been trampled over his
past three outings, suffering three straight losses, while posting a
dismal 14.66 ERA and 2.57 WHIP with six walks over his past 11 2/3
innings. The Nationals have won just three of their past 12 against the
Orioles, and they're 5-11 in their past 16 trips to Oriole Park at
Camden Yards.
Hottest pitcher: Jon Lester, Cubs (13-4, 2.86 ERA)
Lester entered the season with bone chips in his elbow and the potential
of an injury at anytime. Luckily for the Cubs, the issue has become a
non-factor and he is a large part of the team's outstanding run for the
pennant. Lester has been even more efficient lately, going 2-0 with a
2.29 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over his past three outings, striking out 21 and
walking just three over the past 19 2/3 innings. The Cubs take on the
Padres looking to improve on their 16-5 mark over the past 21 starts by
Lester. They're also a perfect 8-0 in his past eight road outings
against teams with a losing overall record, for which San Diego
certainly qualifies.
Coldest pitcher: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (15-4, 3.59 ERA)
The way things were going a few weeks ago, no one would ever have
expected to see Strasburg on this list. He had one loss in his first 16
decisions after a win Aug. 1. However, he has been trampled over his
past three outings, suffering three straight losses, while posting a
dismal 14.66 ERA and 2.57 WHIP with six walks over his past 11 2/3
innings. The Nationals have won just three of their past 12 against the
Orioles, and they're 5-11 in their past 16 trips to Oriole Park at
Camden Yards.
Biggest UNDER run: Athletics (6-0 past six, 12-3 past 15)
The Athletics have struggled offensively, scoring three or fewer runs in
three of their past four, and 11 of the past 16 outings. The A's will
welcome an Indians team which is also on an 'under' run, cashing in six
of the past eight road games. The under is also 6-1 in Carlos Carrasco's
past seven road outings, and seven of the past nine road starts by
Carrasco against a team with a losing overall record. The under is 4-1
in Oakland's past five against teams with a winning record, 19-7-1 in
their past 27 home games agaisnt a right-handed starter and 15-5-1 in
their past 21 home games against Cleveland.
Biggest OVER run: Padres (5-2 past seven, 7-1 past eight at home)
The Padres pitching staff has been terrible lately, allowing 45 runs
over the past eight outings, and five or more runs in nine of the past
15 games. The last thing their pitching staff needs is a visit from the
high-octane Chicago Cubs, a team which is 19-5 over the past 24 games
while scoring six or more runs in four of the past five. The Cubs have
managed four or more runs in 11 straight games, which certainly bodes
well for the 'over'. The over is 2-1 in three meetings this season, and
7-3-1 in the past 11 battles between the two sides.
Biggest UNDER run: Athletics (6-0 past six, 12-3 past 15)
The Athletics have struggled offensively, scoring three or fewer runs in
three of their past four, and 11 of the past 16 outings. The A's will
welcome an Indians team which is also on an 'under' run, cashing in six
of the past eight road games. The under is also 6-1 in Carlos Carrasco's
past seven road outings, and seven of the past nine road starts by
Carrasco against a team with a losing overall record. The under is 4-1
in Oakland's past five against teams with a winning record, 19-7-1 in
their past 27 home games agaisnt a right-handed starter and 15-5-1 in
their past 21 home games against Cleveland.
Biggest OVER run: Padres (5-2 past seven, 7-1 past eight at home)
The Padres pitching staff has been terrible lately, allowing 45 runs
over the past eight outings, and five or more runs in nine of the past
15 games. The last thing their pitching staff needs is a visit from the
high-octane Chicago Cubs, a team which is 19-5 over the past 24 games
while scoring six or more runs in four of the past five. The Cubs have
managed four or more runs in 11 straight games, which certainly bodes
well for the 'over'. The over is 2-1 in three meetings this season, and
7-3-1 in the past 11 battles between the two sides.
Two ice-cold teams meet in the desert when the Diamondbacks and Braves
hook up. After a bit of a revival, the Braves have dropped seven of
their past eight overall, including seven straight against right-handed
starting pitchers. They're also 18-48 in their past 66 games against
National League West opponents. For the Diamondbacks, they're 8-17 in
their past 25 home games. However, Zack Godley is the difference in this
one, as the Snakes are 5-0 in his past five outings against a team with
a losing record, while going 5-2 over his past seven home outings and
9-4 in his past 13 starts overall.
Betcha didn’t know: Safeco Field has been an oasis for the New
York Yankees in recent seasons, as the Bronx Bombers are 14-3 in their
past 17 trips to the Pacific Northwest. The Yankees have won nine of the
past 12 meetings against the Mariners overall. Both of these teams have
been hot lately, with New York winning four of their past five road
games. Michael Pineda faces his original team, and he is enjoying his
hottest stretch of the season. The Yankees are 4-1 in his past five
starts against a team with a winning record. The M's are 7-1 in their
past eight home games against a right-handed starter while going 5-1 in
their past six against teams with a winning record and 10-3 in their
past 13 against right-handed starting pitchers.
Biggest public favorite: Cubs (-195) at Padres
Biggest public underdog: Astros (+160) at Pirates
Biggest line move: Braves (+165 to +145) at Diamondbacks
Two ice-cold teams meet in the desert when the Diamondbacks and Braves
hook up. After a bit of a revival, the Braves have dropped seven of
their past eight overall, including seven straight against right-handed
starting pitchers. They're also 18-48 in their past 66 games against
National League West opponents. For the Diamondbacks, they're 8-17 in
their past 25 home games. However, Zack Godley is the difference in this
one, as the Snakes are 5-0 in his past five outings against a team with
a losing record, while going 5-2 over his past seven home outings and
9-4 in his past 13 starts overall.
Betcha didn’t know: Safeco Field has been an oasis for the New
York Yankees in recent seasons, as the Bronx Bombers are 14-3 in their
past 17 trips to the Pacific Northwest. The Yankees have won nine of the
past 12 meetings against the Mariners overall. Both of these teams have
been hot lately, with New York winning four of their past five road
games. Michael Pineda faces his original team, and he is enjoying his
hottest stretch of the season. The Yankees are 4-1 in his past five
starts against a team with a winning record. The M's are 7-1 in their
past eight home games against a right-handed starter while going 5-1 in
their past six against teams with a winning record and 10-3 in their
past 13 against right-handed starting pitchers.
Biggest public favorite: Cubs (-195) at Padres
Biggest public underdog: Astros (+160) at Pirates
Biggest line move: Braves (+165 to +145) at Diamondbacks
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