In a nice interleague matchup between two division leaders, Hyun-Jin Ryu and the Los Angeles Dodgers visit Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately Verlander is a mere shell of the two-time Cy Young winner he once was as he is just 7-7 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, no thanks to a career low average of 93.4 MPH for a fastball that used to hit 100 MPH regularly. He is facing a Dodger offense batting a solid .270 vs. righties on the road where they average 4.57 runs per game against them. Ryu on the other hand is 9-4 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 81 strikeouts vs. just 19 walks, and he had maintained his fine form as he comes in with four straight Quality Starts, allowing two runs or less in three of them. The Tigers are 1-6 in Verlander’s last seven starts as a favorite.
In a nice interleague matchup between two division leaders, Hyun-Jin Ryu and the Los Angeles Dodgers visit Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately Verlander is a mere shell of the two-time Cy Young winner he once was as he is just 7-7 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, no thanks to a career low average of 93.4 MPH for a fastball that used to hit 100 MPH regularly. He is facing a Dodger offense batting a solid .270 vs. righties on the road where they average 4.57 runs per game against them. Ryu on the other hand is 9-4 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 81 strikeouts vs. just 19 walks, and he had maintained his fine form as he comes in with four straight Quality Starts, allowing two runs or less in three of them. The Tigers are 1-6 in Verlander’s last seven starts as a favorite.
The Atlanta Braves have dropped two in a row following their nine-game winning streak. I look for them to get back on track tonight against the lowly New York Mets due to the massive edge they have on the mound in this one.
Julio Teheran will be an All-Star this year, and for good reason. The right-hander has gone 8-5 with a 2.29 ERA and 0.952 WHIP in 18 starts this year. He looks to continue his dominance against the Mets tonight. Teheran is 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA and 1.120 WHIP in four career starts against New York.
Jacob Degrom is very fortunate to have a 3.77 ERA through 10 starts this season when you consider his WHIP is a below-average 1.408 on the year. His control has been a problem as he has walked 26 batters in 59 1/3 innings. Degrom gave up three runs and eight base runners over five innings of a 1-3 loss against the Braves in his only career starts against them on July 2nd.
The Mets are 4-16 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in home games after having won 3 of their last 4 games over the last two seasons. The Braves are 9-1 in their last 10 games vs. a right-handed starter. Atlanta is 14-3 in Teheran's last 17 starts vs. NL East opponents. New York is 28-62 in its last 90 games as a home underdog. The Mets are 0-4 in Degrom's last four home starts.
The Atlanta Braves have dropped two in a row following their nine-game winning streak. I look for them to get back on track tonight against the lowly New York Mets due to the massive edge they have on the mound in this one.
Julio Teheran will be an All-Star this year, and for good reason. The right-hander has gone 8-5 with a 2.29 ERA and 0.952 WHIP in 18 starts this year. He looks to continue his dominance against the Mets tonight. Teheran is 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA and 1.120 WHIP in four career starts against New York.
Jacob Degrom is very fortunate to have a 3.77 ERA through 10 starts this season when you consider his WHIP is a below-average 1.408 on the year. His control has been a problem as he has walked 26 batters in 59 1/3 innings. Degrom gave up three runs and eight base runners over five innings of a 1-3 loss against the Braves in his only career starts against them on July 2nd.
The Mets are 4-16 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in home games after having won 3 of their last 4 games over the last two seasons. The Braves are 9-1 in their last 10 games vs. a right-handed starter. Atlanta is 14-3 in Teheran's last 17 starts vs. NL East opponents. New York is 28-62 in its last 90 games as a home underdog. The Mets are 0-4 in Degrom's last four home starts.
Phil Irwin gets the ball for the first time this season (made his one and only career start last year) for Texas as the Rangers look to avenge a rare loss at the hands of Houston. The Astros beat the Rangers for just the seventh time in the last 32 meetings last night - also improving their record at Texas to 3-13 during that span.
We look for Texas to regain their dominance in this series tonight against Brad Peacock, who owns a career 0-3 team start record against them (0-2 record) as he comes into this game with a 0-3 team start record away from home on the season. That win yesterday was only the first time Houston won in their last eight games overall. Big offensive edge to the home side, who has reached double-digits in base hits in each of their last four, and Texas comes back with an easy win tonight!
Phil Irwin gets the ball for the first time this season (made his one and only career start last year) for Texas as the Rangers look to avenge a rare loss at the hands of Houston. The Astros beat the Rangers for just the seventh time in the last 32 meetings last night - also improving their record at Texas to 3-13 during that span.
We look for Texas to regain their dominance in this series tonight against Brad Peacock, who owns a career 0-3 team start record against them (0-2 record) as he comes into this game with a 0-3 team start record away from home on the season. That win yesterday was only the first time Houston won in their last eight games overall. Big offensive edge to the home side, who has reached double-digits in base hits in each of their last four, and Texas comes back with an easy win tonight!
The D'Backs and the Yankees made a rather curious trade last week, swapping a pair of pitchers who look like they belong in Triple A. Arizona sent Brandon McCarthy (3-10, 5.10 ERA) to the Bronx in exchange for Vidal Nuno (2-5, 5.42 ERA). Nuno will make his debut in Arizona tonight, and we might expect to see a high scoring affair at Chase Field.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Pitching - Nuno was rocked for four runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings in a loss to Tampa in his most recent start. He's surrendered 15 home runs in 14 starts this year, and with Arizona's Chase Field known to favor hitters, it's tough to see him improve any here for the D'Backs. The Marlins will counter with Brad Hand, who has allowed five runs on 10 hits over seven frames in his last two appearances.
2. Goldschmidt Hitting Streak - Goldy is 13-for-25 during a seven game hitting streak, and his 33 doubles before the halfway point have set a new club record.
3. X-Factor - Casey McGehee is on fire for the fish, batting .390 during a 14 game hitting streak.
The D'Backs and the Yankees made a rather curious trade last week, swapping a pair of pitchers who look like they belong in Triple A. Arizona sent Brandon McCarthy (3-10, 5.10 ERA) to the Bronx in exchange for Vidal Nuno (2-5, 5.42 ERA). Nuno will make his debut in Arizona tonight, and we might expect to see a high scoring affair at Chase Field.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Pitching - Nuno was rocked for four runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings in a loss to Tampa in his most recent start. He's surrendered 15 home runs in 14 starts this year, and with Arizona's Chase Field known to favor hitters, it's tough to see him improve any here for the D'Backs. The Marlins will counter with Brad Hand, who has allowed five runs on 10 hits over seven frames in his last two appearances.
2. Goldschmidt Hitting Streak - Goldy is 13-for-25 during a seven game hitting streak, and his 33 doubles before the halfway point have set a new club record.
3. X-Factor - Casey McGehee is on fire for the fish, batting .390 during a 14 game hitting streak.
The defending World Series chumps have now lost 50 games before the All-Star break for only the third time since the game was created and the first time since 1966. Boston has lost sox of the first seven contests on its 10-game homestand as they face the White Sox. John Danks (7-6, 4.12 ERA) gets the start for Chicago and he is just 3-6 with a 4.97 ERA in 10 career starts against the Red Sox and the Pale Hose are just 5-14 in Danks last 19 road starts. This time after being shutout on Monday, it's Boston!
The defending World Series chumps have now lost 50 games before the All-Star break for only the third time since the game was created and the first time since 1966. Boston has lost sox of the first seven contests on its 10-game homestand as they face the White Sox. John Danks (7-6, 4.12 ERA) gets the start for Chicago and he is just 3-6 with a 4.97 ERA in 10 career starts against the Red Sox and the Pale Hose are just 5-14 in Danks last 19 road starts. This time after being shutout on Monday, it's Boston!
We scored a nice 20* winner on San Francisco-Oakland under the total last night and will fire right back with the same play this evening as stud starters Madison Bumgarner and Sonny Gray take the hill. The A’s have wisely spaced out some of Gray’s starts in order to preserve him for the postseason. He went through a few rough patches in June but bounced back strong last time out against Toronto (7 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER). He faces a Giants offense that is trending in the wrong direction. Since Angel Pagan last played (June 14) the team’s OBP has dipped 20 points. The Giants are 6-14 without Pagan in the lineup and hitting a meager .219 with a .280 OBP. They also may be missing Pablo Sandoval (questionable, elbow) who is a much-needed bat against right-handed pitching (.287/.770). Bumgarner is an ideal matchup vs. the A’s coming from the left side. Oakland’s team OPS vs. lefties is a modest .713 vs. .742 vs. righties. Trend-wise this has been a very under series with 17 of the last 24 in Oakland cashing tickets. And lastly, umpire Angel Hernandez has been very generous with his zone this season with a strike rate (65.3%) that rivals under king Doug Eddings (65.7%).
We scored a nice 20* winner on San Francisco-Oakland under the total last night and will fire right back with the same play this evening as stud starters Madison Bumgarner and Sonny Gray take the hill. The A’s have wisely spaced out some of Gray’s starts in order to preserve him for the postseason. He went through a few rough patches in June but bounced back strong last time out against Toronto (7 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER). He faces a Giants offense that is trending in the wrong direction. Since Angel Pagan last played (June 14) the team’s OBP has dipped 20 points. The Giants are 6-14 without Pagan in the lineup and hitting a meager .219 with a .280 OBP. They also may be missing Pablo Sandoval (questionable, elbow) who is a much-needed bat against right-handed pitching (.287/.770). Bumgarner is an ideal matchup vs. the A’s coming from the left side. Oakland’s team OPS vs. lefties is a modest .713 vs. .742 vs. righties. Trend-wise this has been a very under series with 17 of the last 24 in Oakland cashing tickets. And lastly, umpire Angel Hernandez has been very generous with his zone this season with a strike rate (65.3%) that rivals under king Doug Eddings (65.7%).
The Mariners are showing value at home at this price against the struggling Twins with Chris Young on the hill. Seattle has won 12 of 16 and is 4-0 in Young's last four starts. He didn't allow more than two runs in any of the four. The Twins are 1-11 in their last 12 on the road and 2-8 in their last 10 in Seattle. Phil Hughes has started to come back down to earth with an 8.05 ERA over his last three starts.
The Mariners are showing value at home at this price against the struggling Twins with Chris Young on the hill. Seattle has won 12 of 16 and is 4-0 in Young's last four starts. He didn't allow more than two runs in any of the four. The Twins are 1-11 in their last 12 on the road and 2-8 in their last 10 in Seattle. Phil Hughes has started to come back down to earth with an 8.05 ERA over his last three starts.
Vidal Nuno started 2014 in the Yankees bullpen but injuries soon pressed him into the starting role in which he’s been the very definition of
Vidal Nuno started 2014 in the Yankees bullpen but injuries soon pressed him into the starting role in which he’s been the very definition of unpredictable: 36% dominant starts, 36% disasters. In 14 outings, Nuno has a 4.89 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 6.7 K’s/9—surface stats comparable to those belonging to McCarthy, the pitcher he was traded for. The uh-oh contrast is with the 15 HR each has given up but Nuno’s have been surrendered in 32 fewer innings pitched. With Chase Field only slightly less accommodating to power hitters than Yankee Stadium, it’s unreasonable to expect the lefthander’s 43% fly-ball tilt (and 1.7 hr/9) to yield better results in his new home park. Unless you are a proponent of the “change of scenery” theory in which traded players are invigorated, this doesn’t have the look of an upgrade for the Diamondbacks. Nuno’s low 33% groundball rate does not play well at this venue and Arizona backers should approach Nuno with caution.
Brad Hand did not make the most of his two starts in April, as both ended in disasters and he was quickly removed from the rotation. After spending more than a month in the bullpen, he was sent to AAA-New Orleans to be stretched out and start games. He made four starts down there, going 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 22/9 K/BB in 22 IP. His career 5.40 xERA and 35%/20%/45% groundball/line-drive/fly-ball rates are not indicators he will have success this time around either. In 29 innings split between the pen and starting, Hand has walked 17 batters, a 6.46 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP. One of these two teams may go over this number all on their own.
Vidal Nuno started 2014 in the Yankees bullpen but injuries soon pressed him into the starting role in which he’s been the very definition of
Vidal Nuno started 2014 in the Yankees bullpen but injuries soon pressed him into the starting role in which he’s been the very definition of unpredictable: 36% dominant starts, 36% disasters. In 14 outings, Nuno has a 4.89 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 6.7 K’s/9—surface stats comparable to those belonging to McCarthy, the pitcher he was traded for. The uh-oh contrast is with the 15 HR each has given up but Nuno’s have been surrendered in 32 fewer innings pitched. With Chase Field only slightly less accommodating to power hitters than Yankee Stadium, it’s unreasonable to expect the lefthander’s 43% fly-ball tilt (and 1.7 hr/9) to yield better results in his new home park. Unless you are a proponent of the “change of scenery” theory in which traded players are invigorated, this doesn’t have the look of an upgrade for the Diamondbacks. Nuno’s low 33% groundball rate does not play well at this venue and Arizona backers should approach Nuno with caution.
Brad Hand did not make the most of his two starts in April, as both ended in disasters and he was quickly removed from the rotation. After spending more than a month in the bullpen, he was sent to AAA-New Orleans to be stretched out and start games. He made four starts down there, going 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 22/9 K/BB in 22 IP. His career 5.40 xERA and 35%/20%/45% groundball/line-drive/fly-ball rates are not indicators he will have success this time around either. In 29 innings split between the pen and starting, Hand has walked 17 batters, a 6.46 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP. One of these two teams may go over this number all on their own.
Listed pitchers must go. Cincinnati has called up David Holmberg to start the second game. This will be Holmberg’s second career start, following his August 2013 debut. The 2014 season has been his first Triple-A action and things are not trending in the right direction. He’s lost some of his previously excellent command and feel for the strike zone. To date, Holmberg has a career-high 4.5 BB/9 along with a career-low strikeout rate of 6.1 K’s/9. Holmberg is a tall, physical lefty who showed great progress between the ’11 and ’13 seasons. Prior to his recent poor performance, the scouting book on him was a pitcher with plus command who works downhill throwing lots of strikes and inducing grounders. He comes at hitters with an overhand delivery that has some deception. His three-pitch arsenal includes a low-90s mph sinking fastball, an average slider and a plus change-up. Holmberg repeats his mechanics well with good mound presence and pitch sequencing. He’s expected to be with the Reds for just this one start and then should have the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments at Triple-A to get things trending back in the right direction. Holmberg has made only 10 starts at Louisville because he missed time between April and May and May and June with a couple of nagging injuries. Scouting reports tend to vary quite a bit on Holmberg. Some love his solid command and project added velocity for his large frame, while others are leery of control lefties who dominate lower levels with a plus change-up. Over 647 career innings, Holmberg owns a 3.53 ERA, 7.9 K’s/9 and 2.7 BB/9. At Louisville in 10 starts this year his numbers get a lot uglier. In 10 games started at Triple-AAA Louisville, covering just 44.1 innings, Holmberg is 0-4 with a 5.28 ERA, a .324 oppBA and a BB/K split of 22/30. Even against the Cubbies, this is not a guy you want to spot a tag with.
Listed pitchers must go. Cincinnati has called up David Holmberg to start the second game. This will be Holmberg’s second career start, following his August 2013 debut. The 2014 season has been his first Triple-A action and things are not trending in the right direction. He’s lost some of his previously excellent command and feel for the strike zone. To date, Holmberg has a career-high 4.5 BB/9 along with a career-low strikeout rate of 6.1 K’s/9. Holmberg is a tall, physical lefty who showed great progress between the ’11 and ’13 seasons. Prior to his recent poor performance, the scouting book on him was a pitcher with plus command who works downhill throwing lots of strikes and inducing grounders. He comes at hitters with an overhand delivery that has some deception. His three-pitch arsenal includes a low-90s mph sinking fastball, an average slider and a plus change-up. Holmberg repeats his mechanics well with good mound presence and pitch sequencing. He’s expected to be with the Reds for just this one start and then should have the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments at Triple-A to get things trending back in the right direction. Holmberg has made only 10 starts at Louisville because he missed time between April and May and May and June with a couple of nagging injuries. Scouting reports tend to vary quite a bit on Holmberg. Some love his solid command and project added velocity for his large frame, while others are leery of control lefties who dominate lower levels with a plus change-up. Over 647 career innings, Holmberg owns a 3.53 ERA, 7.9 K’s/9 and 2.7 BB/9. At Louisville in 10 starts this year his numbers get a lot uglier. In 10 games started at Triple-AAA Louisville, covering just 44.1 innings, Holmberg is 0-4 with a 5.28 ERA, a .324 oppBA and a BB/K split of 22/30. Even against the Cubbies, this is not a guy you want to spot a tag with.
For the first week of the Pacific Coast League season, Chicago Cubs pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada was outstanding. He went 13.1 innings over two starts, allowing just one run on seven hits, issued one walk and he struck out 18(!). Unsurprisingly, then, the lefty was named the PCL Pitcher of the Week. He followed up the hot start with another eight innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk. He struck out five. Wada is absolutely dominating at AAA, to put it mildly. Under normal circumstances, the hype meter would have turned up on a “prospect” like Wada, with folks wondering, “Hey, when are we going to see that guy get a crack in the bigs?” Thing is, circumstances are unlike most. For one thing – the biggest thing – he’s already 33. That’s not prospect age by any stretch and the fact that he hasn’t yet pitched in the big leagues would normally count as a strike against a guy that age. But there’s a however to the however: Wada pitched for a decade professionally in Japan before coming over to the U.S. He would have made his MLB debut around age 31, which is relatively normal for a Japanese pitcher coming over to MLB (dominant Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma, for example, made his debut at 31, and Kyuji Fujikawa came to the Cubs at 32). He’s not so old, then, in that regard. Wada came over on a two-year deal with the Orioles and almost immediately needed Tommy John surgery. It took him the normal recovery time, and when he was ready to pitch again, the Orioles opted to hold him down at AAA (where, by late 2013, reports had him pitching very well). The Cubs got him on a minor league deal after the season and after 16 starts at Triple AAA Iowa, he’s ready. The Pacific Coast League is known for extremely friendly hitters parks and all Wada has done is post a 2.66 ERA with a BB/K split of 26/105 in 105 innings. Wada has ice in his veins and after such a long wait to finally pitch in the majors, don’t be surprised if he dominates and Reds lineup that can easily be dominated. Wada is such a better option here.
For the first week of the Pacific Coast League season, Chicago Cubs pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada was outstanding. He went 13.1 innings over two starts, allowing just one run on seven hits, issued one walk and he struck out 18(!). Unsurprisingly, then, the lefty was named the PCL Pitcher of the Week. He followed up the hot start with another eight innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk. He struck out five. Wada is absolutely dominating at AAA, to put it mildly. Under normal circumstances, the hype meter would have turned up on a “prospect” like Wada, with folks wondering, “Hey, when are we going to see that guy get a crack in the bigs?” Thing is, circumstances are unlike most. For one thing – the biggest thing – he’s already 33. That’s not prospect age by any stretch and the fact that he hasn’t yet pitched in the big leagues would normally count as a strike against a guy that age. But there’s a however to the however: Wada pitched for a decade professionally in Japan before coming over to the U.S. He would have made his MLB debut around age 31, which is relatively normal for a Japanese pitcher coming over to MLB (dominant Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma, for example, made his debut at 31, and Kyuji Fujikawa came to the Cubs at 32). He’s not so old, then, in that regard. Wada came over on a two-year deal with the Orioles and almost immediately needed Tommy John surgery. It took him the normal recovery time, and when he was ready to pitch again, the Orioles opted to hold him down at AAA (where, by late 2013, reports had him pitching very well). The Cubs got him on a minor league deal after the season and after 16 starts at Triple AAA Iowa, he’s ready. The Pacific Coast League is known for extremely friendly hitters parks and all Wada has done is post a 2.66 ERA with a BB/K split of 26/105 in 105 innings. Wada has ice in his veins and after such a long wait to finally pitch in the majors, don’t be surprised if he dominates and Reds lineup that can easily be dominated. Wada is such a better option here.
Sometimes you are on the right side of a game but poor luck bites you where the sun doesn’t shine. That was certainly the case last night when the Pirates were spraying balls all over the yard on Adam Wainwright but failed to score. The Pirates were hot coming into this series opener but a loss like that is frustrating and often carries over into the next game. We now find a very sneaky play by spotting 1½-runs and taking back big juice with Carlos Martinez against Vance Worley. Worley is 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA but that extremely small sample size has him way overvalued. Worley had a very forgettable 2013. The only positives coming out of his 7.21 ERA, 1.99 WHIP year were a career high in GB% (47%) and a slightly improved walk rate. Demoted to Triple-A Rochester, Worley was subsequently shut down in July with shoulder inflammation and did not return. His 13.50 ERA in spring 2014 opened the door to starting fresh with a new club. At Triple-A Indianapolis this year before the call-up, Worley went 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA in seven starts. His walk rate is down but so is his groundball rate, which now stands at 41%. Current Cardinals have hit .367 against Worley in just 30 career AB’s. Still, this is a pitcher that’s getting a little too much credit and that provides us with this value play.
Sometimes you are on the right side of a game but poor luck bites you where the sun doesn’t shine. That was certainly the case last night when the Pirates were spraying balls all over the yard on Adam Wainwright but failed to score. The Pirates were hot coming into this series opener but a loss like that is frustrating and often carries over into the next game. We now find a very sneaky play by spotting 1½-runs and taking back big juice with Carlos Martinez against Vance Worley. Worley is 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA but that extremely small sample size has him way overvalued. Worley had a very forgettable 2013. The only positives coming out of his 7.21 ERA, 1.99 WHIP year were a career high in GB% (47%) and a slightly improved walk rate. Demoted to Triple-A Rochester, Worley was subsequently shut down in July with shoulder inflammation and did not return. His 13.50 ERA in spring 2014 opened the door to starting fresh with a new club. At Triple-A Indianapolis this year before the call-up, Worley went 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA in seven starts. His walk rate is down but so is his groundball rate, which now stands at 41%. Current Cardinals have hit .367 against Worley in just 30 career AB’s. Still, this is a pitcher that’s getting a little too much credit and that provides us with this value play.
Carlos Martinez is the opposite of Worley in that he’s not getting enough credit because of his misleading surface stats. Martinez has appeared in 34 games this year but has only made four starts, as he slowly transitions from reliever to starter. Martinez is much better suited to start. This talented youngster peaked in September of last year, parlaying a 3.48/3.13 ERA/xERA over 9 appearances into a post-season roster spot. The Cardinals said that a starting role would be in his future and that future is now. It's only four starts but Martinez isn't showing signs of running out of gas in the later innings despite tossing 59, 74, 82 and 88 pitches. You’ll notice the progressive increase in pitches thrown. His swing and miss rate is at an elite 13% and he's inducing grounders at an off-the-charts rate of 57%. The wildness in his first 2014 start (four BB) didn't happen in the second start (1 BB) and he’s allowed one earned run in each of his last two starts. Martinez has not been taken yard in any of his four starts and has not been taken yard in his last 13 appearances. You can spot -117 in this game and still get value. It’s a good bet. We’re going to get a little greedy and spot the 1½-runs with a huge take-back because Carlos Martinez is ready for the show and has a chance to absolutely dominate. The same can’t be said for Vance Worley and his 4% swing and miss rate.
Carlos Martinez is the opposite of Worley in that he’s not getting enough credit because of his misleading surface stats. Martinez has appeared in 34 games this year but has only made four starts, as he slowly transitions from reliever to starter. Martinez is much better suited to start. This talented youngster peaked in September of last year, parlaying a 3.48/3.13 ERA/xERA over 9 appearances into a post-season roster spot. The Cardinals said that a starting role would be in his future and that future is now. It's only four starts but Martinez isn't showing signs of running out of gas in the later innings despite tossing 59, 74, 82 and 88 pitches. You’ll notice the progressive increase in pitches thrown. His swing and miss rate is at an elite 13% and he's inducing grounders at an off-the-charts rate of 57%. The wildness in his first 2014 start (four BB) didn't happen in the second start (1 BB) and he’s allowed one earned run in each of his last two starts. Martinez has not been taken yard in any of his four starts and has not been taken yard in his last 13 appearances. You can spot -117 in this game and still get value. It’s a good bet. We’re going to get a little greedy and spot the 1½-runs with a huge take-back because Carlos Martinez is ready for the show and has a chance to absolutely dominate. The same can’t be said for Vance Worley and his 4% swing and miss rate.
The Blue Jays are not only cold as ice with just two wins in their past 10 games and just six wins over their past 20 but they have lost five straight and have scored two runs or fewer in all five games. Furthermore, they are brutally awful against lefties and will face another one here in Tyler Skaggs. Skaggs is 4-4 in 13 starts with a 4.13 ERA. However, he threw a beauty against the South Side at U.S. Cellular in his last start after spending the previous month in the minors. Let's hope his frequent flyer account is in good standing, as he made no less than seven round trips from Arizona to exotic minor league destinations over the past two seasons. That toughens a guy up. Skaggs has shown flashes of brilliance, but his dominant start/disaster start split % highlight his current feast-or-famine ways. Still just 22, still a bright future, Skaggs is still very much a work in progress but his 53% groundball rate and recent improvements in all other areas reveal he’s close. Against these reeling Blue Jays, he has another great opportunity.
R.A. Dickey has posted some mediocre stats after 18 starts (4.10 ERA, 1.36 WHIP). His base skills show that poor command has been the issue with an average of four walks per game. His horrible skills while pitching from the stretch have torpedoed his overall skills, as he has the fourth-worst skills in MLB with runners on base. R.A. Dickey is not an enigma. He throws knuckleballs and if they’re dancing he has a chance. If they are not, he has little chance and now he’ll face one of the hottest clubs in the game. It’s also worth noting that Dickey is 1-6 on the road with a 4.41 ERA and for the Blue Jays, the All-Star break can’t get here soon enough.
The Blue Jays are not only cold as ice with just two wins in their past 10 games and just six wins over their past 20 but they have lost five straight and have scored two runs or fewer in all five games. Furthermore, they are brutally awful against lefties and will face another one here in Tyler Skaggs. Skaggs is 4-4 in 13 starts with a 4.13 ERA. However, he threw a beauty against the South Side at U.S. Cellular in his last start after spending the previous month in the minors. Let's hope his frequent flyer account is in good standing, as he made no less than seven round trips from Arizona to exotic minor league destinations over the past two seasons. That toughens a guy up. Skaggs has shown flashes of brilliance, but his dominant start/disaster start split % highlight his current feast-or-famine ways. Still just 22, still a bright future, Skaggs is still very much a work in progress but his 53% groundball rate and recent improvements in all other areas reveal he’s close. Against these reeling Blue Jays, he has another great opportunity.
R.A. Dickey has posted some mediocre stats after 18 starts (4.10 ERA, 1.36 WHIP). His base skills show that poor command has been the issue with an average of four walks per game. His horrible skills while pitching from the stretch have torpedoed his overall skills, as he has the fourth-worst skills in MLB with runners on base. R.A. Dickey is not an enigma. He throws knuckleballs and if they’re dancing he has a chance. If they are not, he has little chance and now he’ll face one of the hottest clubs in the game. It’s also worth noting that Dickey is 1-6 on the road with a 4.41 ERA and for the Blue Jays, the All-Star break can’t get here soon enough.
The Twins' season is quickly slipping away after another loss last night in Seattle. It's now 11 losses in the last 14 games for Minnesota after getting blanked 2-0 last night by Hisashi Iwakuma and the mariners' bullpen. Prospects do not look much better tonight against Seattle, which has won the last four starts made by Tuesday night's pitcher Chris Young, who has allowed only four runs and 13 hits over 25 IP in his last four starts (with a 1.44 ERA), all Mariners wins. Look for a lower-scoring Seattle win tonight.
The Twins' season is quickly slipping away after another loss last night in Seattle. It's now 11 losses in the last 14 games for Minnesota after getting blanked 2-0 last night by Hisashi Iwakuma and the mariners' bullpen. Prospects do not look much better tonight against Seattle, which has won the last four starts made by Tuesday night's pitcher Chris Young, who has allowed only four runs and 13 hits over 25 IP in his last four starts (with a 1.44 ERA), all Mariners wins. Look for a lower-scoring Seattle win tonight.
Don't be fooled by the Pirates Starter's Stats. He's just not that good and the Cardinals have hit this guy very well. He was bad last year, he was pitiful this spring, and in AAA Ball he managed about a 4.3 ERA over a few starts. Martinez can be deadly and likely has a long career ahead of him if he can stay healthy. He's getting better and better as a starter and maintains an ERA of 2.45 doing so, plus he is able to go deeper into each games as he progresses. The Cardinals Pen is performing much better than that of Pittsburgh and despite not having the year that we all expected, they are winning here at home and Pit is not doing so traveling. All of these things make this a Bargain Line and if we were setting this line, it would be much higher.
Don't be fooled by the Pirates Starter's Stats. He's just not that good and the Cardinals have hit this guy very well. He was bad last year, he was pitiful this spring, and in AAA Ball he managed about a 4.3 ERA over a few starts. Martinez can be deadly and likely has a long career ahead of him if he can stay healthy. He's getting better and better as a starter and maintains an ERA of 2.45 doing so, plus he is able to go deeper into each games as he progresses. The Cardinals Pen is performing much better than that of Pittsburgh and despite not having the year that we all expected, they are winning here at home and Pit is not doing so traveling. All of these things make this a Bargain Line and if we were setting this line, it would be much higher.
Ross has been excellent for most of the season and has only gone over this total 3 times in games that he’s pitched this season. Two of those were because of bullpen meltdowns. Outside of that his game totals have been very low mostly due to excellent work by him. Morales along with the rest of the Rockies has been a mess but it’s still a Padres offense that doesn’t have a lot going for it so I’m seeing another 6-1 6-2 kind of game here that should keep us well under the total.
Ross has been excellent for most of the season and has only gone over this total 3 times in games that he’s pitched this season. Two of those were because of bullpen meltdowns. Outside of that his game totals have been very low mostly due to excellent work by him. Morales along with the rest of the Rockies has been a mess but it’s still a Padres offense that doesn’t have a lot going for it so I’m seeing another 6-1 6-2 kind of game here that should keep us well under the total.
Tuesday, July 8, 4:00 PM EST. A scintillating rematch of the 2002 World Cup, the Brazilians will look to keep their tournament champion aspirations alive without their best player, Neymar. Brazil has been valiant as a host country and the Yellow and Blue would love nothing more than to defend their country and go off as champions, as well as hosts. Standing in their way is the football machine of Germany.
These two teams are quite familiar with each other and Germany is no stranger to competing at this superior level. The Germans have qualified for the last four consecutive semifinals. However, Germany has been sent off in their last two efforts as the third place winner. Undoubtedly, this is an impressive feat and a great resume builder for the Deutschland. However, Joachim Loew would only hope to push this German side to the next level and capture their first World Cup in 24 years.
The Brazilians have been galvanized by the loss of their heroic star Neymar but with a rabid home crowd standing behind them, the Brazilians figure to dig down even deeper. Such a feat would be fitting for a country that has been torn apart by politics and dissension. Now, the Yellow and Blue stand as one and it would be hard to bet against Brazil in any contest from here on out. The key to this match-up will be how the German full backs handle the advances of Oscar and Hulk, who have both been brilliant in their campaign.
Tuesday, July 8, 4:00 PM EST. A scintillating rematch of the 2002 World Cup, the Brazilians will look to keep their tournament champion aspirations alive without their best player, Neymar. Brazil has been valiant as a host country and the Yellow and Blue would love nothing more than to defend their country and go off as champions, as well as hosts. Standing in their way is the football machine of Germany.
These two teams are quite familiar with each other and Germany is no stranger to competing at this superior level. The Germans have qualified for the last four consecutive semifinals. However, Germany has been sent off in their last two efforts as the third place winner. Undoubtedly, this is an impressive feat and a great resume builder for the Deutschland. However, Joachim Loew would only hope to push this German side to the next level and capture their first World Cup in 24 years.
The Brazilians have been galvanized by the loss of their heroic star Neymar but with a rabid home crowd standing behind them, the Brazilians figure to dig down even deeper. Such a feat would be fitting for a country that has been torn apart by politics and dissension. Now, the Yellow and Blue stand as one and it would be hard to bet against Brazil in any contest from here on out. The key to this match-up will be how the German full backs handle the advances of Oscar and Hulk, who have both been brilliant in their campaign.
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