Philly and Chicago info

Backhaus is opening. Left handed, first major league start. He's then handing it over to Taijuan Walker for the bulk...

Boyd coming off injury.

08(-110) *1.00/.91

Good Luck 

Good luck Sac.  

2-0 +2.00 yesterday. Will update record after work.

Posted yesterday...

Arizona ML(-145) *1.00/.69

Kay/Rodriguez listed

BOL today!

 Yessir. Fernando Mendoza 

That Royals over was a great call yesterday, but take a hard look at F5 under today. High line considering neither team does shoot against right. Thank me later. Worst scoring margins vs right in mlb

Yea I like that one, looked at it last night. Bassit with a sneaky good last 2 outings. His overall #'s look like ass cause he started out poorly. 

You know what I think about Wacha, but his last outing got dicey. Gotta be careful with old guys, like you.

@undermysac

@undermysac

 Watch your mouth, PUNK.

@KeyElement

 I can't believe that # is at 5, -105 on the under...

Is it weather driven, or Bassit's total era, or both?

Both Bassit and Wacha have a good history vs these lineups. I think I'm gonna zag on this total. That over yesterday was a late inning bullpen meltdown. 

@undermysac 

Too late, missed the game cause of work.

Has Key had his nap yet?

3  run HR  Alonso ....to RC....wind blowing  in from LF and CF....15 mph....

3  run HR  Alonso ....to RC....wind blowing  in from LF and CF....15 mph....

Pirates 1st 5 ML(-115) *1.15/1.00

Pirates 1st 5 RL(+125) *.35/.44

Pirates FG RL(+151) *.25/.38

Ashcraft/Leiter listed

Braxton Ashcraft O5.5 K's(+110) .50/.55

The lineups aren't out, but there is an expected lineup where Danny Jenson is catching for the Rangers. He's never caught Leiter.

5 left handed batters for both teams favors Ashcraft tremendously. The pitching matchup is much greater for the Pirates imo. Especially when it comes to the Rangers hitting ground ballers at .180/.542, 3rd lowest in sOPS+ in the league. 

Ashcraft this year has produced a 51.8% gb rate, with a lowly 12.5% line drive rate. When it comes to facing left handed batters, he has struck em out once per every 3 plate appearances. 

If you look at Leiter vs left handed batters this year, you'll find some ugly numbers. 

I'm making a small play on the Pirates full game RL just to roll with the trend, they are 8-1 su and 8-1 on the runline after a loss. I do admit that I don't like their bullpen usage and performance compared to the Rangers recently. Also, most of Pitt's offense has come in innings 1 through 6, they take the foot off the gas in the late innings. 

Good Luck 

@undermysac

Our resident genius explaining why I made the pick I did. Good deal; I have neither the patience nor inclination to do that after twenty years of it being ignored. sac wouldn't either if he had to get out of the truck and actually service his customers, but he has his apprentice thoroughly intimidated and his manager blackmailed (fooling around), therefore, he has the only beer truck in Chicago with a satellite TV receiver on the roof and built in wi-fi. With all those Heaven sent benefits you might think he could at least pay his debts, like a case of premium beer, a case of premium vodka, and a little respect for senior citizens. Oh NO, always unappreciative. Judgment awaits. I pray for him daily.

@KeyElement

 Hey I put my work in for the man, got back to the warehouse by 1:30. Now I put in the work for our covers brethren. 

I have one more play worth a shot.

Then it's time to wash the boat

Rockies ML(+137) *1.00/1.37

Buehler/Sugano listed

Walker Buehler has not been good at Coors field in his career. Sugano should bounce back after throwing BP to the Dodgers in his last outing. 

The Padres have beaten the Rockies in 5 straight games this year. If the rox have any pride at all, it's time to hit it around the park. A team who can split a series with the Dodgers, can surely get up in this game for the rubber match.

GL

@undermysac

 If Lowe cannot go hurts vs right hand hurler...Horowitz also...Positive side all 3 top pen arms all on 3 day rest....Ashcraft strong....Not looking forward to facing a motivated Cutch tonight.. But like the Bucs at -106...gl

@undermysac

 Bol tonight Sac

@undermysac: Then it's time to wash the boat *********

Might want to rinse out the inflatable doll while yer at it. 

@undermysac

 Strange that suggested under of mine landed on a push. Bad day for both chuckers, but 5 was still too high. Of course the bullpens made sure the over hit. I wouldn't bet either of those teams FG right now.

@KeyElement

 Yea I didn't have a good feeling about Wacha, looked shakey in that last outing and was lucky to only give up 2. The O's put the screws through him. Slightly leaned O's first 5 as well, glad that I didn't have any action on the game.

Meanwhile, I was super impressed from the few clips I watched from Jose Soriano today. He didn't have his best stuff and spread out 7 hits through 5 innings. He was behind on a lot of counts, and had men on base a bunch. His pitch sequences were fooling batters at clutch times.

Lowe and Horwitz are in the lineup. They want to win this game.

The Rangers start Higashioka at catcher, not surprised. Leiter has familiarity with him, with less than desirable stats.

Now about this Cubs and Phillies total.

It's clear that sharp $ is on the under. Just letting you all know that.

Boyd's #'s against them in the past have been good. The Phillies aren't good against left handed pitching. 

My angle is simple. Boyd has been out with injury for a while. Left biceps strain. He played one AAA game before making a start today.

I just can't trust that he'll be shut down today, the dude is old. So much of the Cubs success in this 7 game win streak has been their starting pitching. But Boyd hasn't been a part of that. If he spins a gem I'll tip my cap.

Meanwhile we are fading Backhus and Taijuan Walker, and heavens please more Phillies bullpen pitchers.

If you're worried about the 9 mph wind blowing in, don't sweat it. The humidity is through the roof today and it's warm out.

I'm staying with it, for better or worse.